ST. LOUIS – Local and state health officials rolled out their monkeypox vaccine distribution plan for the St. Louis area. It includes expanded eligibility for vaccination due to the increased transmission of the virus in the region.

What You Need To Know

  • St. Louis County will serve as monkeypox vaccine distribution hub for St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Jefferson County and St. Charles County.

  • Missouri has 18 confirmed cases of monkeypox as of Aug. 11. Illinois has 717 cases and declared monkeypox a public health emergency  
  • The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has distributed 1,900 vials of monkeypox vaccine to the St. Louis County Department of Health and for distribution to other areas of the state

  • DHSS has set up a public survey to identify people who are at high risk for contracting monkeypox and may qualify for the initial round of doses. You can take the survey on the DHSS website

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is the region’s vaccine hub. It will serve St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. 

As of Aug, 11, the CDC says Missouri has 18 confirmed cases of monkeypox. Illinois has 717 cases and declared monkeypox a public health emergency. 

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has distributed 1,900 vials of monkeypox vaccine to the St. Louis County Department of Health and for distribution to other areas of the state that may experience an increase in need for vaccine availability. Based on very recent CDC guidance, several people may be vaccinated with each vial.

The current plan allows a portion of those vials to be reserved for health departments and other health care providers to protect close contacts of individuals with monkeypox. The remaining vials are for health departments and local clinics to vaccinate additional individuals who meet CDC criteria for being at high risk for contracting the disease.

Supply of monkeypox vaccine is limited nationwide as well as in Missouri. Area health experts expect the demand for it to outweigh supply, at least initially. DPH has requested additional doses and expects more from the state in the coming days, depending on nationwide availability.

The monkeypox virus is primarily spread through close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or shared clothing or bedding. Health officials stress the overall risk to the public remains low. Although anyone can get monkeypox, men who have sex with men have been most affected during the current outbreak and will be prioritized in the current vaccine plan.

DHSS has set up a public survey to identify people who are at high risk for contracting monkeypox and may qualify for the initial round of doses. You can take the survey on the DHSS website.

The monkeypox vaccine protects against the disease, but is not used to treat people who already have contracted the virus. The vaccination consists of two doses administered four weeks apart. You can learn more about the symptoms, how to get tested and more on the DHSS site.