After weeks of spikes, monkeypox is on the decline in Washington state, but vaccination levels in King County, a major hotspot in the state, are still well below levels estimated to adequately fight the virus. increase.
The decline in infections statewide is directly related to the decline in cases in King County.from Peak in late July, weekly King County’s case rate dropped 66% to 22 cases during the week of August 28.
King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said the drop in cases is likely due to a combination of factors, including behavioral changes and vaccination of high-risk communities.
The health ministry also said more people may have some immunity to infection as more susceptible people are exposed to the virus.
Health officials are hesitant to claim the outbreak is under control.
“Ideally, we don’t want to see cases of the disease because it can be a painful and difficult disease. But it will take some time to see what trajectory the outbreak will take.” It will,” spokesperson Sharon Bogan said.
Vaccine distribution
So far, 10,444 residents across Washington state have received at least one dose of the Jynneos vaccine as of Sept. 7, according to state health department data. About 6% of these people received her second dose after 28 days. The Jynneos vaccine is a 2-dose series of vaccines, given in 2 doses 4 weeks apart.
In King County alone, more than 9,800 residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.That’s about a quarter of her 40,000 in King County Residents estimated by county health departments are either at “highest” or “high” risk of exposure.
The Department of Health estimates that 80,000 doses are needed to adequately manage the epidemic.
Monkeypox can infect anyone who has been in close contact with an infected person, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. So far, the virus has disproportionately affected her LGBTQ+ community, especially men who report intimate contact with other men.
Many of these King counties Cases have been confirmed in the Hispanic community, most of whom are between the ages of 18 and 49.
inequality of distribution
Within King County, more than half of all cases were reported in central Seattle. So far, the county’s vaccination efforts have been concentrated in this area.
Community workers say current immunization efforts are unfair and address socioeconomic and geographic barriers that people of color, especially queer people of color, may face in accessing vaccines. says no.
“The most affected and vulnerable groups, LGBTQ+ people of color, congregate and live primarily in South King County,” said the focus on supporting transgender people of color. said Sasha Samuel, community care program coordinator for UTOPIA, a community organization that supports
So far, UTOPIA has held two monkeypox vaccination events in Kent and 100 people were vaccinated for the first time.
Agencies should provide vaccine clinics to areas where the most vulnerable live, such as Kent, Auburn and Federal Way, Samuel said.
“Both health authorities and people are quick to say that this is a disease that affects gays, but when it comes to vaccine distribution, it is difficult to prioritize vaccine distribution to these same vulnerable groups. I feel,” said Diana, Krishna, UTOPIA’s wellness navigator.
Public Health – Seattle and King County said it encouraged, not directly Engaging in targeted immunization events hosted by community-based organizations, include Utopia, Gay City, University of Washington. Some of these were focused outreach events and were not widely publicized.
Since the outbreak, the health department said it has been working closely with the organization on messaging. Coordination of resources and vaccine distribution.
Bogan said it’s important to have a variety of approaches to reach out to communities because first-come, first-served strategies don’t always reach high-risk people. Some people are more likely to get the vaccine at a clinic they’ve already been to, while others are interested in community-based health care sites where family members and others can be vaccinated at the same time.
View of vaccine Distribution at the state level shows that 81 doses were administered given to Thurston County No cases of monkeypox have been documented, there.
In fact, Thurston County is administering more doses than virus hotspot Snohomish County. There are six other counties that have so far recorded cases of monkeypox with fewer than 10 doses.
Chris Porter, an LGBTQ+ activist in Seattle, said the “pandemic epidemic” is weighing heavily on the queer community, especially men of color. Whether it’s the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, or the current monkeypox, queer men of color continue to be disproportionately affected, he said.
“How do you navigate it all as a black gay man?”
persistent stigma
The DOH recently expanded vaccine eligibility requirements to include gay, bisexual, and other men who have had sex with a man with multiple sexual partners in the past three months. Previously, it only specified people who had 10 or more sexual partners with her, or who had group sex with her in the bathhouse.
Expanded criteria now include sex workers and those who have experienced homelessness, Has been in precarious housing or imprisoned within the past three months.
Community organizers from the LGBTQ+ community criticized past communications by health officials about the disease. They said the language, particularly the vaccine eligibility questionnaire, which focuses on the number of sexual partners, is invasive and contributes to the stigma that already discourages many from getting the vaccine. I’m here.
Krishna said the message should have emphasized more the fact that the virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on the sexual part,” she said. “This keeps people isolated and further marginalized from access to these resources and vaccines.”
She added that the county health department worked quickly to improve the language after this was pointed out.
But Porter said A message is not enough.
“It’s one thing if you come to me and give me this information,” Porter said. “Then my question is, ‘Where can I get the vaccine?’ And you reply, ‘It’s only available in certain situations and in certain places, but not necessarily where you live.’
“What is the weight and richness of that information?”
