Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Expand Monkeypox Eligibility

The Richmond and Henrico health districts expanded their monkeypox vaccine coverage earlier this week, in line with state guidance.

Now, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, anyone who has had multiple sexual partners or an anonymous sexual relationship in the past two weeks can be vaccinated. You can also shoot people who work in venues where sex takes place. In Richmond and Henrico, people with HIV or who have had a sexually transmitted disease in the last three months are also eligible for vaccination.

Previously, only sex workers or men in close contact with other men were eligible for shots. report Sexual contact is not the only way monkeypox is transmitted. It can be spread by “infectious rashes, scabs, fluid from wounds, or direct contact with saliva.” The CDC also said the disease is spread through “respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.”

Although she said the incidence of the disease has declined locally, RHHD director Melissa Viray said at a news conference Thursday that those at risk should still seek a vaccine. rice field.

“In Virginia and the United States, monkeypox cases have been declining, probably in the last few weeks, probably since August,” Viray said. “Infections are still occurring in our communities. Therefore, it is important to remain vigilant.”

According to James Milner, director of Virginia Pride, concerns in the gay community have eased as more people have been vaccinated.

“I don’t think it’s as much concern as it was a few months ago,” Milner said at a news conference.

We do not have sufficient data on the number of people who identify as gay in Virginia to determine the percentage of people who have access to vaccines. Investigation A CDC survey of men who have sex with other men found that about half of the respondents said they changed their behavior in response to the monkeypox outbreak, reduced the number of partners they had sex with, and I see that you are reducing encounters.

To date, the district has administered 1,911 doses of the vaccine and distributed 555 doses to other health care providers in Virginia, according to Viray. There have been no deaths from monkeypox in Virginia during the current outbreak, but very rare cases can be fatal.

There is already evidence that vaccines make a difference.according to Report from CDC A study of monkeypox cases in 32 public health districts found that unvaccinated men aged 18 to 49 were 14 times more likely to get the disease than their vaccinated peers.

A move by local health districts to expand vaccine eligibility to those who are HIV-positive or who have had an STI within the past three months publication According to the CDC, people with weakened immune systems and people with HIV are more likely to have severe disease if they get monkeypox.

“Recent data also suggest a high shared prevalence of monkeypox and HIV infection and/or recent STI infection in monkeypox patients,” said Viray.

According to another recently released document, report According to the CDC, 38% of monkeypox patients were also infected with HIV.

Now that the eligibility criteria for vaccines have been expanded, health districts expect a significant increase in demand for vaccines, said Viray. Milner said even people who were eligible under previous guidance are more likely to request the vaccine because they don’t have to disclose sensitive information to governments to access vaccinations.

“It contained very personal questions that many people were reluctant to give to government agencies,” Millner said. “I am very happy to hear that these questions have been eased.”

Currently, the questionnaires that recipients must complete simply ask whether they meet any of the eligibility criteria, without specifying their sexual orientation or field of employment.

To access monkeypox vaccine, contact Richmond and Henrico Health Districts at (804) 205-3500.