The City of Long Beach has widened the eligibility requirements to receive the monkeypox vaccine to include members of the LGBTQ population.
People in the following categories can receive the monkeypox vaccine:
- People who were exposed to someone with confirmed monkeypox and do not have symptoms.
- People who attended an event/venue where there was high risk of exposure to someone with confirmed monkeypox.
- New: Gay or bisexual men and transgender persons who are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- New: Gay or bisexual men and transgender persons who attended saunas, bathhouses, sex clubs, circuit parties, or sex parties where they had anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners.
- New: Gay or bisexual men and transgender persons with a diagnosis of gonorrhea or early syphilis within the past 12 months.
“We are working with urgency to address monkeypox in our community, and we are especially committed to ensuring that we meet the needs of our highest risk populations—gay and bisexual men in particular,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement. “Our health department is working around the clock to reach out to folks who may be impacted.”
As of July 19, there are currently five confirmed or presumed cases of monkeypox in Long Beach, and all five patients are recovering at home.
The monkeypox vaccine, Jynneos, consists of two doses taken at least four weeks apart. People who receive the first dose of the vaccine will be given cards reminding them to take their second dose.
A limited supply of the vaccine is available and the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Department is working to identify people who are eligible in hopes of offering them vaccination.
Starting Wednesday, July 20, the City will implement an online pre-registration system so people can join a waitlist for the vaccine.
Eligible people who sign up through the pre-registration system will be contacted with information on how to get vaccinated once it’s their turn.
The health department is using texts and emails to contact those who are eligible for the vaccine. Those who receive a message should bring a digital or printed copy to their vaccination appointment.
How monkeypox is spread, Long Beach Health Department guidance
According to a statement by the City, most cases locally and nationally are contracted through skin-to-skin contact.
The Health Department urges people to assess their risk of catching monkeypox, especially when engaged in any kind of sexual or intimate touching with multiple or anonymous partners (including hugging or kissing) or attending an event or area where they will come into skin-to-skin contact with multiple people.
Risk of exposure may increase while attending venues such as clubs, saunas, bathhouses, sex parties and curcuit parties where there is skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact with many people, especially if people are wearing minimal clothing, according to the Health Department.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox can also be spread through direct contact with monkeypox rashes, scabs or bodily fluids from a person with monkeypox—including during oral, anal and vaginal sex and through sex toys.
The CDC states that having multiple or anonymous sex partners may increase a person’s chance for exposure to monkeypox.
“We are trying to better understand if the virus could be present in semen, vaginal fluids or other body fluids,” the CDC website states.
Symptoms of monkeypox typically include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus
Monkeypox usually resolves itself in two to four weeks, but more severe cases are possible.
Monkeypox is infectious and those who are infected should isolate until they’ve recovered.
People who are experiencing symptoms should call their healthcare provider, who will determine the need for testing.
Those who don’t have health insurance and are experiencing symptoms can contact the City’s public health information line at 562-570-7907 for assistance.
