CINCINNATI — Demand for monkeypox vaccines is far outpacing supply, creating frustration and anxiety among people in the Tri-State. But more doses will come next week, with an allocation expected in Hamilton County for the first time.

Don't expect many doses initially, though. A spokesman for the Hamilton County Health Department said it expects fewer than 100 doses next week.

That department said Friday it would establish a survey on Monday to put interested people on a waiting list for vaccines, which would be prioritized by risk factor. It will then notify them when a dose is available. The department initially did something similar with the COVID-19 vaccine. The spokesman said the survey would likely look like others in Ohio and nationwide, asking about sexual contact and partners.

Data updated on Aug. 3 showed Ohio had been allocated 17,809 doses of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine. Those doses are coming from the national stockpile, which is doled out by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Of that, 4,253 doses have been shipped to Ohio.

A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health said Friday 457 doses had been given to 450 people in Ohio. The monkeypox vaccine is a two-dose regimen.

"We've spent the last two years in a global pandemic hopefully learning about public health and how best to respond to these things and what it seems is that we've not learned a lot of lessons," said Dr. Christian Gausvik, a physician with The Christ Hospital.

Dr. Gausvik said there is a growing frustration with lack of access to vaccines as cases rise. As of Friday, there were more than 7,500 cases nationally. Indiana reported 68 cases, Ohio reported 38 and Kentucky reported nine.

The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency on Thursday.

"I have a handful of patients who planned to get theirs while traveling somewhere or have planned to travel to get the vaccine," Dr. Gausvik said. "It's frustrating that that's the kind of discussion we're having."

Health departments in Northern Kentucky have been administering first doses of the vaccine, but it was unclear on Friday how many doses NKY Health had been allocated or had given out. HHS reported Kentucky's allocation of the JYNNEOS vaccine at 6,310 with 1,700 shipped to the state. Indiana has been allocated 11,985 doses with 6,752 shipped.

"We've got a couple thousand doses of vaccine sitting with the department of health that have not been used, and I think that's a real fail on the part of prevention and keeping Ohioans safe with access to this vaccine," Dr. Gausvik said.

Monkeypox is currently spreading predominantly among men who have sex with men, though Dr. Gausvik noted the virus can affect anyone. It is spread through prolonged contact and is not a sexually-transmitted disease. That focus on one community — and the bias that often is associated with it — may be impacting testing and reported case numbers.

"I think because of the limited testing ability, and I think in some part due to our bias of who this disease affects, we may not be testing widely enough to capture all the case numbers," Dr. Gausvik said.

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CINCINNATI —

Ohio has hit the highest number of COVID-19 cases ever reported in a single day with Christmas just days away.

There were 12,864 new cases over a 24-hour period reported Wednesday.

State health officials said there were 492 new hospital admissions for a total of about 4,000 people hospitalized around Ohio. There are 800 people on ventilators.

“We should all be very concerned by the tidal wave of COVID hospitalizations, which again are driven largely by unvaccinated Ohioans,” said director of the Ohio Health Department Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.

The northern part of Ohio has been hit hardest so far.

The state rolled out plans for the Ohio National Guard to be deployed to those areas first, then reassess in the coming days and weeks.

“It’s disappointing. In Cincinnati, we may not be seeing the numbers the north is seeing, we know it’s coming,” said UC Health Dr. Jen Forrester. “Honestly, we’re worried that given the stresses, that we’re not going to be able to provide the care that we want to provide to each and every one of our patients.”

Testing facilities were jammed Wednesday as people tried to make sure their get-togethers can be as safe as possible.

“Now that my boyfriend tested positive, I got to stay home,” said one woman who was in a long line of cars for COVID testing. “Last year, we did a Zoom Christmas and we were like ‘finally this year,’ and then everything changed.”

Health officials said it was too early to tell if the new cases were omicron or delta or both.

Signups for a chance to win a piece of Ohio’s new $2 million vaccine incentive scholarships began Monday.

Ohio is giving away 150 scholarships of $10,000 and five $100,000 scholarships.

The drawing is for those aged 12 to 25 who sign up after getting a vaccine. That age group could expand down to age 5 if the Food and Drug Administration approves the vaccine for the younger age groups later this month.

“If I didn’t have the shot, this would definitely make me do it. Money is money and you can always use more," said University of Cincinnati student Michael Morrow.

“I think it’s a great idea. I think anything that can get more people vaccinated,” said UC student Rishi Gabbita.

There is no timeframe for which past vaccinations must have occurred in this program.

“I got vaccinated before they started the new thing, but it’s definitely motivated me to get my information in there so I can maybe win some money to help with the school,” said UC student Lillian Trimple.

“It’s exciting. It’s a real opportunity and it’s squarely targeted at those younger individuals,” said the Health Collaborative’s Kate Schroder. “Overall, we have seen an impact with the incentive programs. There’s no silver bullet. Different things work for different individuals.”

The state has not given a deadline or a date for the drawings.

New health guidelines in place for Ohio schools may mean avoiding quarantine for those students who have been exposed to COVID-19 – but they'll need to wear a mask and follow other recommendations.

Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education voted to require masks be worn in all district buildings for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year at their meeting Wednesday night. Other local districts have yet to announce their plans.

New guidance from the Ohio Department of Health recommends:

• Masking for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status
• At least three feet of physical distance between desks
• Strategies to increase ventiliation
• Cleaning protocols
• Identification of individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

“I think anytime we make a decision that keeps kids in school in a safe way, that is a game-changer,” Mason City Schools superintendent & CEO Jonathan Cooper said.

Quarantine was difficult for students last year, Cooper added, but new state guidance would allow students to stay in school if they’re masking up.

“So, this idea of if you’re wearing a mask you can stay in school is such a big request for us because I think it will encourage more people to wear a mask to keep each other safe as we come back to school together in a week,” he said.

Cooper said about 95% of teachers and staff in Mason are already vaccinated. There are also strong vaccination rates in neighborhoods around the schools – about 70% have at least one dose.

“They are using that to try and probably force schools, administrators, board members to make masks mandatory across the board this year,” said Shannon Wintheiser, the parent of an elementary school student in Sycamore Community Schools.

She said she doesn’t believe masks in schools are healthy for young children, and is leery of the new state guidance.

“Saying that if you’re all masked nobody has to quarantine, nobody has to miss school, and it’s kind of strong-arming the districts, I think, that haven’t made that decision yet or have perhaps made the decision to be optional. Trying to strong-arm them back into giving them another reason to try to do a mandated mask.”

CINCINNATI — Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended wearing masks indoors in areas experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases -- including for those who are fully vaccinated.

In Hamilton County, COVID-19 cases are rising. As of Tuesday, the Hamilton County Public Health Department said nearly 120 people were hospitalized due to the virus. Two weeks ago that number was closer to 40 on any given day.

Hamilton County Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman said to follow guidance from the Ohio Department of Health instead of federal leaders.

Mercy Health’s chief clinical officer, Dr Stephen Feagins, said the more contagious delta variant was able to become stronger as it spread among the unvaccinated.

“It is the dominant circulating strain. That was predicted,” Dr. Feagins said.

The CDC said studies show even vaccinated people may be able to spread it. That is why the team recommended Tuesday that people begin masking indoors even though they are fully vaccinated.

“While a break-though case of COVID on a vaccinated individual is still a reportable event, it's rare,” Dr. Feagins said.

Hamilton County Public Health is working to get more people vaccinated.

“We're seeing, in our hospital systems, a lot more 40- and 50-year-olds ending up in the hospital,” Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman said. “So, we want to make sure that we're getting the right messaging and the right information to those folks so they can make an informed decision.”

Local health departments had not changed mask recommendations as of Tuesday evening.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health reported Thursday a 28% increase in vaccination rates among Ohioans 16 and older since the announcement of the state's Vax-a-Million campaign.

The lottery, which was announced May 13, gives Ohioans 18 and older with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine the chance to win one of five $1 million prizes. Ohioans ages 12-17 with a at least their first dose also have the chance to win one of five full ride scholarships to any state college or university.

MORE: How to opt into Ohio's $1 million vaccination lottery

According to ODH data, vaccinations in people age 16 and older dropped by 25% the weekend of May 7-10 compared to the weekend of April 30 to May 3.

The weekend following the announcement of the lottery, vaccinations rates for the same age group shot up 28%, ODH data shows.

“This dramatic increase in vaccinations indicates that the Vax-a-Million drawing has been impactful in creating momentum for vaccinations throughout Ohio,” said ODH director Stephanie McCloud in a news release. “We are grateful that the drawings are helping spur Ohioans to take this important measure to protect their health, their loved ones, and their community. Vaccines are our best tool to return to the lives we remember from before the pandemic.”

So far, more than 1 million people have entered into the drawing for $1 million, and tens of thousands of teens have entered to win scholarships.

Prizes will be announced on Wednesdays from May 26 to June 23.

All Ohioans age 12 and older are currently eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. To register for an appointment or find walk-in clinics, click here or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Interested? You can enter your own name at ohiovaxamillion.com or by calling 1-833-427-5634.