FDA authorizes new monkeypox vaccine injection technique to stretch supply

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The monkeypox vaccine is now available, but demand is far outpacing supply. So the FDA has authorized a new injection technique to stretch the supply.

It's called an intradermal injection. Instead of injecting the shot into the muscle or fat, it's instead injected into the skin itself.

Because there is a greater amount of immune cells just under the skin, this type of injection provides a stronger immune response, which means the dose can be smaller.

"Each vial is initially designated to contain a single dose of vaccine, but with action taken by the FDA yesterday, we will be working to implement the new guidance that each vial could be used to vaccinate up to five people using an alternate dosing method," said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Wisconsin DHS chief medical officer.

So far there are more than 9,000 confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States, with 32 confirmed in Wisconsin.