Health

Gay men eligible for monkeypox vaccine in Los Angeles County – Q Voice News

Gay men monkeypox vaccine

Gay and bisexual men and transgender people in Los Angeles County with a rectal gonorrhea or early syphilis diagnosis within the past three months are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine from their doctor or at various public clinics in the county, the health department said. Photo: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Gay and bisexual men and transgender people in Los Angeles County with a rectal gonorrhea or early syphilis diagnosis within the past three  months are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine from their doctor or at various public clinics in the county, the health department said.

People who are eligible, but don’t have a health care provider or whose doctor doesn’t have the vaccine, can make an appointment at a designated public health clinic or walk up to one of three public health vaccination pods to receive the monkeypox vaccine.

Gay Men Health Clinics Monkeypox vaccine

People who are eligible, but don’t have a health care provider or whose doctor doesn’t have the monkeypox vaccine, can make an appointment at a designated public health clinic or walk up to one of three public health vaccination pods, with the necessary documentation, to receive the monkeypox vaccine. Photo: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

To receive the monkeypox vaccine, people must bring an ID and one of these documents:

  • Proof of an appropriate and verifiable test result in the past three months of presentation. Proof can be on paper or shown from the patient’s phone, including a screenshot of the result or a test result within a patient portal
  • Medical provider attestation (your doctor will know what this form is) confirming a history of rectal gonorrhea or early syphilis treated in the past three  months

Monkeypox and gay men: Here’s what we know

At this time, given the limited national vaccine supply, the county says the priority is to administer as many first doses of monkeypox vaccine as possible to all eligible people.

As soon as federal vaccine supply expands, the health department will make second doses available to the people who received their initial dose.  

The health department says it also will continue to expand monkeypox vaccine eligibility as the federal government distributes more doses.

People with symptoms should speak with their provider or call 2-1-1 if they do not have a doctor.

In addition, people without a doctor who have developed a rash in the genital or perianal area, can access services at department’s sexual health clinics.

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