Massachusetts reports 41 new monkeypox cases, as DPH issues updated vaccine advisory for lower-dose regimen

State health officials reported 41 new monkeypox cases on Thursday, as public health officials issued an update vaccine advisory for a lower-dose regimen to get more people vaccinated.

The count of 41 new monkeypox cases in the Bay State is a tick down from 45 cases during the previous week, which is the state’s one-week record high. The 41 new cases were diagnosed within the past week, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It brings the total number of monkeypox cases in the state to 243 since the state’s first case was announced in mid-May. That first case was also the country’s first confirmed case. Massachusetts has reported the 12th most cases in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 12,205 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine have been administered in the state, and DPH announced an updated vaccine advisory on Thursday.

“To ensure the maximum number of individuals eligible for monkeypox vaccination receive protection, DPH issued an updated advisory effective Aug. 18 for Massachusetts JYNNEOS vaccine providers to begin administering the vaccine intradermally (into the skin) in most people aged 18 years and older using an alternative lower dose regimen that results in an equivalent immune response,” DPH said in a statement.

There have been 13,517 reported cases of monkeypox virus in U.S. residents this year. That’s a significant jump of 3,125 cases since last week.

U.S. health officials have declared the quickly growing outbreak a public health emergency, and the Biden administration on Thursday announced actions to accelerate its outbreak response — including increasing the availability of vaccines and treatments.