MCHD goes into the community to provide Monkeypox vacc
September 8, 2022
MCHD goes into the community to provide Monkeypox vaccine
MOBILE, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Public Health has reported 69 cases of the Monkeypox virus in Alabama residents as of August 31. In response, the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) continues to provide guidance and resources to educate, test, treat and prevent this illness.
The latest venture took place last week at a nightclub in Mobile. MCHD staff set up at B-Bob’s Downtown from 4 to 7 p.m. to provide the Monkeypox vaccine.
“MCHD conducted a Monkeypox vaccine event at a downtown Mobile nightclub that caters to the LGBTQ community,” said Dr. Rendi Murphree, an Epidemiologist who oversees MCHD’s Bureau of Disease Surveillance and Control. “We vaccinated 125 people in three hours. We are super thankful to B-Bob’s proprietor Jerry Ehlen and his staff for helping with this event.”
This was the first such outreach in Alabama to provide the vaccine at a venue with high attendance by gay and bisexual men to better reach those individuals most at risk. “I am very proud that the Mobile County Health Department was the first in the state to provide these services in this manner,” said Health Officer Dr. Kevin P. Michaels. “It is important for our public health team to be out in the community.”
MCHD also conducted COVID-19 testing. AIDS Alabama South offered rapid HIV and syphilis testing. Family Health, MCHD’s primary care division, was present to discuss its Ryan White program.
“The 125 people received the first of two inoculations with Jynneos vaccine,” Dr. Murphree said. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that vaccination with Jynneos can be considered for people determined to be at high risk for infection to prevent Monkeypox disease.”
The Jynneos vaccine is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days apart. MCHD will return to B-Bob’s on September 29 to provide second doses by appointment.
According to the CDC, data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current Monkeypox outbreak. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has Monkeypox is at risk.
Clients who take part in Family Health’s Ryan White Program should make an appointment to receive the Jynneos vaccine by calling 251-690-8889.
Other individuals interested in receiving the vaccine may register through MCHD’s Bureau of Disease Surveillance and Control at this link — https://redcap.link/MPXmchd. If the client meets ADPH’s expanded criteria for the vaccine, MCHD staff will contact the client by phone or email to provide information on the availability of the vaccine and instructions on getting vaccinated.
Clients may also sign up for the vaccine through MCHD’s smartphone app under “More” and then “Sign Up for Monkeypox Vaccination.” The app is available for download for free in the App Store and Google Play. Search “My MCHD Health Check” or visit the following link to download the app — https://apps.myocv.com/share/a65536603.