A vaccine to counter monkeypox is on island, but currently, there are only 60 vials available, capable of vaccinating 200 people. But how is Public Health administering it? According to Interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bob Leon Guerrero, the vaccine will only be given to those who have been exposed to monkeypox.

"If you have confirmed exposure to someone with monkeypox, we’ll give you the vaccine," he said. "When you give it within a week, the likelihood of getting monkeypox or the likelihood of getting serious monkeypox infection is pretty close to zero."

Dr. Leon Guerrero detailed that the vaccine can be given one of two ways and this determines if one vial will be used on one person only or if one vial can be used on five different people.

"If you count the 60 vaccines, if you do the regular regimen, it’s one dose per vial," he said. "So that means you got enough doses for 30 people and that’s it. With the alternative regimen, you do it subcutaneously and you can get five doses per vial and so 60 doses times five doses, that’s 300 doses and you need to get two doses per person and so that’s 150 people that can get the vaccine with the 60 vials."

The island’s first monkeypox case continues to be isolated and monitored. The vaccines will be at the ready should another person be exposed to the monkeypox virus to automatically curb the spread.

Those who think are a close contact of someone who has monkeypox must consult with their primary caregiver before receiving the vaccine.