The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has expanded eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine to include more residents at a higher risk of contracting the virus. The department stresses the importance of testing and vaccination as the most critical tools for stopping the spread of monkeypox. Starting on September 2, the Health Department, with the approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH), will be implementing initial Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) eligibility for those interested in getting the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine. Now, the following groups will be eligible to receive the vaccine: • Men who have sex with men, AND who also have multiple (2+) or anonymous sex partners • Women who have sex with men who have sex with men, AND who also have multiple (2+) or anonymous sex partners • Transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary individuals who have multiple (2+) or anonymous sex partners “Allegheny County’s allotment of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine has allowed the Health Department and its partners to vaccinate those at highest risk for contracting monkeypox, to this point,” explained Dr. Barbara Nightingale, ACHD’s Deputy for Clinical Services. “After working with the Department of Health and assessing the needs of our community, we believe we have enough vaccine and a need to expand eligibility.” Those previously, and still, eligible to receive the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine included individuals who had experienced a high-risk exposure to someone who was diagnosed with monkeypox in the previous 14 days or individuals who experienced a high likelihood of exposure in the previous 14 days. Eligible individuals also included sex workers. If eligible individuals want to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine, they can make an appointment with the Immunization Clinic by calling 412-578-8062. Walk-ins are also welcome. The clinic is located at 425 First Avenue, Fourth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Community health care providers also offering the vaccine include: • Allies for Health + Wellbeing, 5913 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 • Metro Community Health Center, 1789 S Braddock Ave #410, Pittsburgh, PA 15218 • Central Outreach Wellness Center, 127 Anderson Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (only vaccinating current patients) • AHN Positive Health Clinic, 1307 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (only vaccinating current patients) • UPMC Center of Care for Infectious Diseases, 3601 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (only vaccinating current patients) The ACHD will continue to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to expand vaccine eligibility and clinic sites as more vaccines become available from the federal government. One of the best ways to reduce the spread of the virus is by testing individuals who develop lesions and believe they may have been exposed to monkeypox. Testing is available throughout the county at emergency rooms, urgent care centers and many doctor’s offices. Residents are encouraged to contact their primary care provider if they are interested in getting tested for monkeypox. Residents who do not have a primary care provider can get tested at the county’s Public Health Clinic located at 1908 Wylie Avenue, Pittsburgh. No appointment is necessary. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday noon to 7:30 p.m. To learn more about the Public Health Clinic, visit its webpage. Symptoms of the monkeypox virus can manifest in a variety of ways. Early symptoms of monkeypox include: • Rash • Fever • Chills • Headache • Muscle aches • Fatigue • Swollen lymph nodes. All residents diagnosed with monkeypox will be contacted by ACHD public health staff who will provide guidance and resources. The Health Department will also call close contacts of the affected individuals to further reduce the spread of the virus. The Health Department’s nurses are available to answer questions, as well as provide guidance and resources to anyone who believes they have come in contact with monkeypox. ACHD nurses can be contacted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by calling 412-687-ACHD (412-687-2243). To learn more about monkeypox and the disease’s impact on Allegheny County, visit the Health Department’s monkeypox webpage at: alleghenycounty.us/monkeypox.
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