The Bulletin Board

Monkeypox cases climb in NH as vaccine uptake remains low

By: - September 26, 2022 3:08 pm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention narrowed the number of monkeypox cases in New Hampshire from a range of 11 to 50 to 29. The dark blue states have the highest case counts. (Screenshot)

As the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in New Hampshire climbs – from 16 to 29 in the past month – state health officials have expanded eligibility for the vaccine and announced additional vaccination sites.

Thirteen Convenient MD locations and several health care providers are offering the monkeypox vaccine in New Hampshire. (Screenshot)

Any person who identifies as gay, bisexual, queer, or is a man who has sex with men, and believes they are at risk for monkeypox, can get a vaccine. The vaccine had been available to people who had exposure to moneypox and whose health care provider believed they were at risk of contracting the virus.

In a release Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services said vaccine uptake has been low in New Hampshire. “With increasing supply, we want to make it as easy as possible for people who may be at risk to get vaccinated to protect themselves from infection,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. 

Vaccines are available at 13 Convenient MD locations, Coos Family Health in Berlin, Keady Family Practice in Claremont, White Mountain Community Center in Conway, Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon, and the Nashua and Manchester health departments. 

The department provides phone numbers and links to locations as well as other information and resources related to monkeypox on its website, dhhs.nh.gov, via a search for “monkeypox.” Anyone experiencing monkeypox symptoms, which include blisters, rashes, and flu-like symptoms, is encouraged to call their health care provider.

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Annmarie Timmins
Annmarie Timmins

Senior reporter Annmarie Timmins is a New Hampshire native who covered state government, courts, and social justice issues for the Concord Monitor for 25 years. During her time with the Monitor, she won a Nieman Fellowship to study journalism and mental health courts at Harvard for a year. She has taught journalism at the University of New Hampshire and writing at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications. Email: [email protected]

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