Monkeypox (MPX) Physician Resources

Last updated: September 2, 2022

Monkeypox (MPX) cases in Maryland have increased, and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is now reporting total cases by County. As of today, there are 57 cases in Montgomery County comprising 12.4% of total cases statewide. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has guidance on the key characteristics of MPX in order to assist physicians to clinically recognize it. The MDH data dashboard will keep you informed on the number of cases here in Montgomery County.

Vaccines

The Maryland Department of Health has a pre-registration form for the MPX vaccine that patients should fill out if they are eligible. Vaccines will be administered at the County’s Dennis Avenue Health Center located at 2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902. Montgomery County is currently vaccinating a very small group of high-risk individuals. As more vaccine is received, there may be additional recommendations about vaccinating other residents. See the full press release from the Montgomery County Department of Health for more information.

Pre-registration through the MDH website will not, per the MDH website, guarantee an appointment. Appointments are dependent on eligibility criteria and availability of vaccine supply. The County health center will contact your patient directly to set up the appointment once eligibility and vaccine supply is confirmed.

Patients currently eligible for pre-registration include the following individuals in addition to the criteria utilized in the pre-registration screening survey:

Known close contacts who are identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments.
Healthcare workers who may have been exposed to a known case and Laboratory Response Network (LRN) or other laboratory staff working directly with monkeypox testing.
Individuals who are aware that one of their sexual partners from the past two weeks has been diagnosed with MPX.
Individuals in high-risk populations who report recent group sex or sex with multiple partners or sex or employment at a venue or in association with an event, venue, or defined geographic area where monkeypox transmission has been reported.

In an effort to help combat the MPX outbreak, HHS will make up to 442,000 more doses of the Jynneos vaccine available for states and jurisdictions.

Clinician Guidance and Information

Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 Vaccines during the 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak (August 22, 2022)

MDH Clinician Letter (August 5, 2022)

CDC Dear Colleague Letter: Pain Management Recommendations (July 27, 2022)

MDH Laboratories Administration Specimen Submission Guidance (June 17, 2022)

CDC Health Alert Network Advisory: Case-finding Guidance (June 14, 2022)

CDC Health Alert Network Advisory: Monkeypox Virus Infections in Non-endemic Countries (May 20, 2022)

MDH Clinician Letter (May 19, 2022)

Patient Education Materials

MDH Frequently Asked Questions About Monkeypox

CDC Printable Resources