'Definitely concerning': Philadelphia health officials call for more monkeypox vaccine doses

PHILADELPHIA - The monkeypox outbreak reached a concerning new threshold in the United States as the federal health regulators declared the virus a public health emergency.The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing.

The people who have gotten sick so far have been primarily men who have sex with men. But health officials emphasize that the virus can infect anyone.The declaration by HHS comes as the Biden administration has faced criticism over monkeypox vaccine availability.

Clinics in major cities such as New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot vaccine to meet demand, and some have had to stop offering the second dose to ensure supply of first doses.MONKEYPOX LATESTPhiladelphia health officials are likewise sounding the alarm about the undersupply of monkeypox vaccines.

Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said her department has been promised 6,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine, but so far has only received a little more than 2,600."We are advocating to our federal partners for more vaccine for Philadelphia," Bettigole said.