U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expands availability of monkeypox vaccine

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to allocate 786,000 more doses of the monkeypox vaccine nationwide.

This allocation adds to the 340,000 monkeypox vaccines that have already been delivered to states and jurisdictions.

Indiana has already been sent 3,232 doses and will receive 8,800 as part of the new allocation.

Michigan has already been sent 3,418 doses and will receive 10,460 as part of the new allocation.

The two key factors that determine the allocation of doses are the total population of at-risk people and the number of new cases in each jurisdiction.

"Our goal is to stay ahead of this virus and end this outbreak," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.  "We have a strategy to deploy these additional vaccine doses in a way that protects those at risk and limits the spread of the virus, while also working with states to ensure equitable and fair distribution."

Beginning Friday, states and jurisdictions can order additional vaccine doses through HHS.

The vaccine is manufactured by Bavarian Nordic and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent smallpox and monkeypox.

For the CDC's guide on the steps people can take to prevent monkeypox, click here.