BPHC Bulletin: CDC Dear Colleague Message about Monkeypox

CDC issued a Dear Colleague letter for health care providers. It includes:

• Urgent information about diagnosis of monkeypox virus infection.
• Recommendations for treatment.

Report Adverse Effects to Monkeypox Vaccines
FDA-licensed vaccines are available for preventing monkeypox virus infection: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. When properly administered before or after a recent exposure, vaccines can effectively protect people against monkeypox.

Visit CDC's Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination website for guidance on administering vaccines.

CDC also requests that all providers report vaccine adverse events (possible side effects) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Report any event that, in your professional judgment, is medically important or clinically significant, even if you are not sure if the vaccine caused the event.

Monkeypox Resources
These CDC resources can provide guidance and answer questions:

• Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity – The links under “Latest News” provide resources and connect you to call recordings and slides.
• Monkeypox website – Includes prevention, signs and symptoms, and treatment.

Please share this message with health center providers and other clinicians throughout your network.