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Determination Certifies Pharmacists to Administer the JYNNEOS Vaccine to Adults Aged 18 and Older With a Patient Specific Order to Protect Against Mpox
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 20, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health in partnership with the New York State Education Department have issued an official determination that certifies pharmacists can administer vaccines to protect against mpox pursuant to a patient specific order. Adding the JYNNEOS vaccine to the list of vaccinations that pharmacists are allowed to administer to adults aged 18 and older is another measure the Department is taking to protecting individuals from mpox as a new, more virulent variant circulating in countries in Africa prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency.
"The availability of the mpox vaccine, JYNNEOS, in pharmacies across New York State means more people will be able to access protection as we remain vigilant in light of the more transmissible variant of mpox circulating in Africa," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Mpox, while rarely fatal, can be incredibly painful and can cause more serious illness for those with immunocompromising conditions. It's important to remember that we are still seeing cases connected to the 2022 outbreak here in New York State and vaccination is your best protection from getting sick."
The variant currently circulating in countries in Africa is known as clade I and has demonstrated higher rates of transmissibility and severity than the strain connected to the 2022 outbreak known as clade II. There are currently no known cases of the clade I mpox variant anywhere in the U.S.
This determination authorizes certified pharmacists to administer the JYNNEOS vaccine to adults aged 18 and older pursuant to a patient specific order. This determination was made in partnership with the New York State Education Department and expands the immunizations that can be administered by New York pharmacists who are certified to immunize.
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "Pharmacists are a critical component of our healthcare system, delivering accessible and trustworthy care in communities across the state. By empowering these certified pharmacists to administer the JYNNEOS vaccine, we ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of circumstances or location, have access to this critical protection. This action not only increases our public health response, but it also highlights the essential role that pharmacists play in protecting our residents' health and well-being."
Pharmacists have been administering vaccinations in New York State since 2008 and are a center-point of providing vaccinations against several illnesses, ultimately keeping hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers safe. Pharmacists provide a convenient point of access in the communities in which they serve, helping to build public trust in vaccinations.
New York State has made significant progress in reaching communities affected by mpox with vaccination, however more work needs to be done. The CDC estimates that as of January 9, 2024, just 47 and 31 percent of persons recommended for vaccination in New York City and New York State (outside New York City), respectively, had received both doses. While this is ahead of the national average of just 25 percent, permitting pharmacists to vaccinate individuals to protect them against mpox will assist in mitigating the risk of spreading the communicable disease.
Mpox vaccine information is available here.
More information on the clade I mpox variant can be found here.
The State Department of Health has posted resources regarding mpox here.
Information for individuals who become sick or exposed to mpox can be found here.
ALBANY, N.Y. (August 20, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health in partnership with the New York State Education Department have issued an official determination that certifies pharmacists can administer vaccines to protect against mpox pursuant to a patient specific order. Adding the JYNNEOS vaccine to the list of vaccinations that pharmacists are allowed to administer to adults aged 18 and older is another measure the Department is taking to protecting individuals from mpox as a new, more virulent variant circulating in countries in Africa prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency.
"The availability of the mpox vaccine, JYNNEOS, in pharmacies across New York State means more people will be able to access protection as we remain vigilant in light of the more transmissible variant of mpox circulating in Africa," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Mpox, while rarely fatal, can be incredibly painful and can cause more serious illness for those with immunocompromising conditions. It's important to remember that we are still seeing cases connected to the 2022 outbreak here in New York State and vaccination is your best protection from getting sick."
The variant currently circulating in countries in Africa is known as clade I and has demonstrated higher rates of transmissibility and severity than the strain connected to the 2022 outbreak known as clade II. There are currently no known cases of the clade I mpox variant anywhere in the U.S.
This determination authorizes certified pharmacists to administer the JYNNEOS vaccine to adults aged 18 and older pursuant to a patient specific order. This determination was made in partnership with the New York State Education Department and expands the immunizations that can be administered by New York pharmacists who are certified to immunize.
New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "Pharmacists are a critical component of our healthcare system, delivering accessible and trustworthy care in communities across the state. By empowering these certified pharmacists to administer the JYNNEOS vaccine, we ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of circumstances or location, have access to this critical protection. This action not only increases our public health response, but it also highlights the essential role that pharmacists play in protecting our residents' health and well-being."
Pharmacists have been administering vaccinations in New York State since 2008 and are a center-point of providing vaccinations against several illnesses, ultimately keeping hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers safe. Pharmacists provide a convenient point of access in the communities in which they serve, helping to build public trust in vaccinations.
New York State has made significant progress in reaching communities affected by mpox with vaccination, however more work needs to be done. The CDC estimates that as of January 9, 2024, just 47 and 31 percent of persons recommended for vaccination in New York City and New York State (outside New York City), respectively, had received both doses. While this is ahead of the national average of just 25 percent, permitting pharmacists to vaccinate individuals to protect them against mpox will assist in mitigating the risk of spreading the communicable disease.
Mpox vaccine information is available here.
More information on the clade I mpox variant can be found here.
The State Department of Health has posted resources regarding mpox here.
Information for individuals who become sick or exposed to mpox can be found here.
