The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has received limited, additional doses of monkeypox vaccine from the federal government.

Health officials said Friday they are placing a priority on vaccinating those who are at highest risk of exposure to slow the spread of the disease in accordance with federal requirements.

“In this outbreak we know that some people are at higher risk of getting monkeypox than others, just like some groups are hit harder by diseases like cardiovascular disease or asthma,” said Dr. Nick Staab, medical epidemiologist at the county department.

“At this stage in the outbreak, for most people, the overall risk of being exposed to monkeypox remains very low. For household and social contacts of people who have gotten monkeypox and others at increased risk, we want to make sure they get the protection they need so we can slow the spread at this early stage.”

County health officials stated in a release that, with the vaccicnes coming in varying quantities at irregular intervals, people who are interested in getting vaccinated should let the department know so they can be notified as vaccine doses become available.

 People can check eligibility at Maricopa.gov/monkeypox, where they will also find a form to get notified about upcoming vaccine opportunities.