MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin has expanded its eligibility for who can get vaccinated to protect themselves against monkeypox.
Effective immediately, Wisconsinites who meet any of the following criteria can get vaccinated:
Known contacts who are identified by public health through case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments.
Presumed contacts who may meet the following criteria:
People who know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with monkeypox.
People who attended an event or venue where there was known monkeypox exposure.
Gay men, bisexual men, trans men and women, any men who have sex with men, and gender non-conforming/non-binary people who have had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days.
“Expanding who is eligible to get vaccinated against monkeypox is a critical step in preventing further spread of disease,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “It is encouraging to see that the rate of new monkeypox infections is slowing, and this decision allows for even more Wisconsinites to protect themselves against monkeypox. DHS strongly encourages anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated to do so.”
State health officials say the monkeypox vaccine is safe and effective at preventing illness and is available at select locations throughout Wisconsin.
Click here for a list of vaccine locations
As of Tuesday, 63 cases of monkeypox have been identified in Wisconsin. Nearly 98% of Wisconsin cases have occurred in men and most cases self-reported having sexual contact with other men.
Anyone who develops a new or unexplained rash should contact a doctor or other health care provider immediately. In addition to eligible people getting vaccinated, everyone should avoid having close skin-to-skin contact with others who have new or unexplained rash.
