Under the fire, U.S. officials say monkeypox can still be stopped

U.S. health officials said the country’s monkeypox outbreak can still be stopped, despite the increasing number of cases and the limited supply of vaccines so far.

The Biden administration’s Supreme Health officials have opposed criticisms of the pace of response and are concerned that the United States has missed a window to contain the virus. Declares a global emergency..

“We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with affected states and local partners and communities to anticipate this and end this outbreak. I will. ” Xavier BeseraHead of Health and Social Welfare.

But he added that local health officials “must play their part.” … we don’t have the authority to teach them what to do. “

As they announced, there was a backlash from federal leaders 780,000 shot distribution plan 2 doses Jynneos vaccine.. Dose is assigned to states, cities, and other regions based on the number of cases and the size of the population at high risk for the disease.

Health departments in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, and other regions have said they have suspended their second vaccination appointments to expand supply because there are not yet enough shots to meet demand.

Becerra said the federal government has finished its work and the responsibility for using the available tools now rests with local civil servants.

“We have made vaccines, tests and treatments available in all jurisdictions far beyond what is currently needed,” he said.

However, a representative from a specialized clinic said Besera’s comments indicated “a lack of understanding of the full picture of the crisis.”

“Clinics across the country are appealing to federal health authorities for the information, equipment, and staffing needed to successfully end this outbreak.” David C. Harvey, The Managing Director of the National Union of STD Directors said in a statement. The group is demanding $ 100 million in emergency funding from local health departments and clinics.

As of the end of Wednesday, more than 4,600 cases of monkeypox were reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and federal officials expect these numbers to increase.

Over 99% of reported cases are male, and the majority of them are male Among men who have reported sexual contact with other menHowever, health officials emphasize that anyone can catch the virus.

According to Becerra, the United States is now able to test 60,000-80,000 people per day, but the number of tests per day is well below that.

The Monkeypox virus It spreads primarily through skin-to-skin contact, but can also be transmitted by touching the linen used by infected individuals. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills, and malaise. Many who developed developed acne-like ridges, sometimes painful.

The United States has ordered 5.5 million doses of vaccine by mid-2023 and has rights to raw materials that may allow 11.1 million doses. U.S. officials said large-scale vaccination campaigns could still be avoided if communities and individuals took steps to avoid the epidemic.

In san Francisco, Tom Templano was scheduled to take a second dose next week, but was recently notified that it was canceled due to limited supply. Temprano, political director of San Francisco-based Equality California, said he was dissatisfied with the very long time it took health officials to respond.

“Especially after two and a half years of a pandemic, it’s a very disappointing response to the first major public health crisis we are facing,” he said.

He also thinks it is similar to the slow response of the government to AIDS in the 1980s.

“I’ve heard from many … I feel this is similar to the real concern and lack of urgency of illnesses that are disproportionately affecting the LGBTQ + community,” said 36. Said Templano.

The CDC currently estimates that approximately 1.5 million Americans, primarily men who have sex with men, meet vaccination recommendations.

However, Thursday officials refused to set a numerical value for the vaccine dose needed to stop the outbreak. Almost 340,000 doses of the vaccine were distributed, but CDC officials admitted that they didn’t know how many doses the federal government had given.

An additional 780,000 shots sent to the state this week were delayed by transportation and regulatory hurdles. They sat in a Danish storage for several weeks when US regulators completed inspection and certification of manufactured facilities.

California Senator Scott WienerBelonging to the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, has called the additional vaccine “important.” But he added: “Of course, that’s not enough. We know that millions more doses will occur from the rest of the year to next year.”

The Georgia Department of Health did not have to postpone the second dose, but spokeswoman Nancy Nidam said: Every time the health department or other provider opens an appointment or slot at an event, they are picked up in just a few minutes. “

Associated Press writers Andrew Selsky of Salem, Oregon and Mike Stobbe of New York contributed to the story.