“I looked for a couple of weeks to get an appointment, and everything was booked up,” said Evan Cumming, who finally scored a spot and got a shot for monkeypox at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus; some 320 people received vaccinations there on Thursday.
The scarce vaccine is being rationed at the five New Jersey medical facilities that are giving monkeypox shots. State health officials say they’re working with vaccine providers to extend supplies by administering smaller doses.
Monkeypox vaccine comes one dose to a vial. But with the vaccine in very short supply, the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday issued an emergency use authorization permitting providers to divide a vial into five individual doses — giving each person a one-fifth dose. In addition, instead of the current subcutaneous shot that goes deeper into the arm, a so-called intradermal injection — that would go just under the skin — would be used. The latter requires less vaccine but is almost as effective.
