Collin County to offer appointments for monkeypox vaccine

Collin County officials are taking steps to offer vaccines for “an expanded population of individuals” who wish to receive the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox, according to an Aug. 9 news release.

In the statement, officials stated the county is prepared to vaccinate as soon as additional vaccines are delivered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services. The county expects this to be within the next week, according to the county website.

As of Aug. 9, Collin County Health Care Services has identified 14 cases of monkeypox in the county and “has already contacted each individual and their direct contacts,” according to the release.

"At this time, Collin County does not need to issue a disaster declaration. Our health department is well-positioned to respond to the current monkeypox situation," said Candy Blair, Collin County public health director, in a statement.

The Jynneos monkeypox vaccines from the Texas Department of State Health Services can be administered to individuals who have had close, high-risk contact with a confirmed monkeypox case in the last 14 days, according to the county website.

When vaccine appointments become available, a link to schedule an appointment will appear on the page www.collincountytx.gov/healthcare_services.

"Collin County does not have a public health emergency related to monkeypox,” County Judge Chris Hill said in a statement. “The vast majority of cases that have been identified in Collin County are related to a specific lifestyle, and the public health department has the resources and the capacity to respond to these cases.”

Earlier this month, Dallas County issued an emergency declaration in a bid to help slow the spread of the monkeypox virus.

More information about monkeypox is available at the CDC website and the DSHS website.