Athens Pride, Queer Collective partnering with DPH for monkeypox vaccine preregistration
The Athens Pride and Queer Collective announced via Instagram on Thursday that the organization is partnering with the Northeast Health District to facilitate vaccine pre-registration for monkeypox.
A spokesperson for the organization said on Thursday that while they haven’t finalized details for a formal public service announcement, additional information will be available soon.
Those interested in a vaccine can pre-register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MKXvaccine.
Current vaccine availability
As of Wednesday, there were 504 monkeypox cases reported in Georgia, and 6,617 reported nationally. On Thursday, the Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency.
According to Sarah Peck, organizational development manager at the Northeast Health District, the majority of these cases have been concentrated in the metro Atlanta area. As of Monday, none had been reported in the 10-county radius of the Northeast Georgia Health District, which includes Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Oconee and Walton counties.
“The supply of monkeypox vaccine is extremely limited at this time, and the first distributions of the vaccine went to Atlanta metro counties with confirmed cases.” Peck wrote.
Related: Biden administration declares monkeypox a public health emergency
While the vaccine is now being distributed statewide, it’s only offered by appointment at specific outreach events.
Peck said that when more vaccines become available, information on how to schedule an appointment will be provided on the Northeast Health District’s website at www.publichealthathens.com and the Northeast Health District Facebook page. In the meantime, anyone who thinks they have been exposed to monkeypox or are at high risk of infection should contact their healthcare provider.
Vaccine priority
Currently the Department of Public Health is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to limited availability, vaccines are prioritized for those at high risk of infection, including:
Those who have close personal contact with people with monkeypox;
Individuals who may have been exposed to monkeypox;
Individuals at an increased risk of being exposed to the virus.
Peck wrote that while many of those affected in current global outbreaks are men who have sex with men, “anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness”.
How monkeypox spreads
Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:
Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids;
Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, kissing or cuddling;
Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks.
If you show symptoms
According to Peck, anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they don’t think they’ve been in contact with someone who has monkeypox.
A person who is sick with monkeypox should isolate at home. If they have an active rash or other symptoms, they should be in a separate room or area from other family members and pets when possible.
Prevention tips
Monkeypox does not spread like COVID-19, but the Northeast Health District suggests the following to avoid monkeypox infection:
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox;
Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox;
Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have close personal contact with someone with monkeypox;
Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox;
Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox;
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Monkeypox vaccine preregistration announced in Athens, GA
