By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County health department recently investigated a pair of suspected monkeypox cases.
Ellis County Health Director Kim Reel told the county commission Monday her department investigated the cases last week.
As a result of the investigation, Reel told the commission that the state sent Ellis County the Jynneos vaccine.
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She said a small dose of the vaccine was given out Monday.
“I do have nine doses left,” Reel said, “but I have very strict guidelines from the state on what it can be used for.”
Reel said that the department has had several requests for the vaccine and that media reports telling people over the age of 65 that they should call local health departments to request the vaccine was “not accurate information.”
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, only two cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Kansas.
The first was in an adult in Johnson County, who had traveled out of state.
Related: KDHE investigating another case of of monkeypox in Kansas
The second case was just recently confirmed in Shawnee County. Officials are still waiting on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to confirm the case.
Cover image courtesy UK Health Security Agency via CDC