Wilkes Health now has vaccines to protect against monkeypox, as well as testing. Vaccines are available for:

• Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox, and
• Gay or bisexual men or transgender individuals who report any of the following in the last 90 days:
• Having multiple sex partners or anonymous sex
• Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection
• Receiving medications to prevent HIV infection (PrEP)
• While monkeypox can affect anyone through close skin to skin contact, our data show that currently almost all cases in North Carolina and across the country have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men,” said NCDHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Everyone in our health system across the state should be working quickly to increase use of testing and vaccinating those most at risk so we can contain this outbreak.”

Anyone can get monkeypox, most commonly through close skin-to-skin contact. Vaccination after recent exposure may reduce the chance of getting monkeypox and can reduce symptom severity if you do get monkeypox. Those interested in receiving the vaccine should contact Wilkes Health at 336-651-7524 to find out whether they are eligible and to schedule an appointment. Everyone can do their part to control the spread: We are in this together! Protect yourself and limit the spread of monkeypox, especially if you are at higher risk: Get checked. Get tested. Get vaccinated