Only 1 in 5 Kentuckians at risk for mpox are vaccinated for it

By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern

About one in five Kentuckians who are at risk for mpox — formerly called monkeypox — are vaccinated for it, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.

The estimated at-risk population in Kentucky is 19,344 people, Beshear said April 7. Of those, 21% got one dose of vaccine and 12% got two doses, compared to 37% and 23% nationally.

Mpox (Getty Images photo via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Mpox is characterized by rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, cold-like symptoms and more. The disease comes from a virus in the smallpox family.

Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person, including sex, kissing, hugging and other intimate contact.

An mpox victim is contagious until their scabs fall off and new skin forms underneath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those at higher risk for severe outcomes from mpox, according to the CDC, are those younger than 1 year old, pregnant people, the immunocompromised and people who have had atopic dermatitis or eczema.

The CDC reported that Kentucky had 104 cases as of March 29. The only neighboring state with fewer was West Virginia, with 12 cases.

“We have these (vaccine) doses available for those who are interested,” Beshear said.

For a full list of Kentucky’s health departments offering vaccines, visit: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/idb/Documents/MPXVaxLocations.pdf.

The World Health Organization renamed mpox after concerns of “racist and stigmatizing language” associated with the former name.