Monkeypox vaccine available in NWA

Yes, and: The vaccine, effective after exposure and before symptoms emerge, is available for:

• People with confirmed and presumed exposures, including those who had close physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox.
• Those who know their sexual partner was diagnosed with monkeypox.
• Men who have sex with men who, in the last 14 days, had a sexual encounter in a venue where there was known spread of monkeypox or in an area where it's spreading.

The big picture: The Biden administration is speeding up its vaccine distribution effort, Axios' Herb Scribner writes, after declaring the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency on Aug. 4.

Be smart: The disease is spread through skin-to-skin contact with infectious rash, scabs and body fluids. It can also transmitted through contaminated items, such as clothing or respiratory secretions.

• Monkeypox is not airborne.

Zoom out: The U.S. has more than 15,900 monkeypox cases, according to the CDC.