Monkeypox vaccines to be given for free Wednesday in Lafayette

Ashley White, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read
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To help protect Lafayette against monkeypox, especially the LGBTQ+ community, Acadiana Cares will administer free vaccines at Bolt.

The virus, which is mainly spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, can affect anyone but has predominantly been reported among gay and bisexual men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It is critically important that our community knows that monkeypox vaccines are not only available here in Lafayette, but that they are free,” Acadiana Cares CEO Claude Martin said in a statement.

“By offering vaccines at Bolt, we’re making it easy and accessible for those who are vulnerable to take advantage of these vaccines and prevent the spread of monkeypox here in Acadiana.”

Vaccines will be available from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the downtown gay bar. They will be administered at Bolt by Acadiana Cares medical professionals. Appointments are not required, according to the release.

Appointments for testing and vaccination, along with other medical services, are available other weekdays at Acadiana Cares' in-house clinic.

The vaccine drive comes before Southern Decadence, one of the largest LGBTQ festivals in the South held over Labor Day weekend in New Orleans but has grown to include celebrations throughout the region. The event started in 1972 as a party among friends, both gay and straight, to celebrate the end of summer.

For subscribers: Rush to increase vaccination ahead of Southern Decadence festival in New Orleans

Monkeypox cases are continuing to spread worldwide. Confirmed cases reached 44,500 worldwide on Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. reported 15,909 of those cases. Louisiana had 151 reported cases on Tuesday.

Monkeypox typically starts with flu-like symptoms - fever, swollen glands, muscle aches and headaches. A rash typically develops a few days later. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs before healing and can initially look like pimples or blisters, according to the CDC.

What is monkeypox? A look at symptoms, treatment and addressing the myths

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Monkeypox vaccine in Lafayette: Free shots to given at Bolt