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In preparation for the summer season and Bay Area Pride celebrations, the San Mateo County Health Department encourages vaccination against Mpox, known as monkeypox.
The Bay Area and other parts of the country are experiencing a resurgence of Mpox cases. And, after more than 6 months without a reported case, San Mateo County registered a new case of the virus this week.
Unlike COVID-19, which is easily spread through the air, the risk of Mpox to the public is low.
The virus is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids from sexual contact or sustained close physical contact. The 2022 outbreak in the US was spread almost exclusively through sexual contact.
In light of this, local health authorities have strongly recommended vaccination of those populations likely to be most affected as Mpox increases in the Bay Area.
These populations include people living with HIV, anyone taking or eligible to take HIV PrEP, and all men, trans and non-binary people who have sex with men, trans or non-binary people.
People with Mpox often have a rash that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth, or near the genitals. Other symptoms include fever, chills, and muscle aches.
Anyone wanting protection against Mpox should seek the vaccine, while for the best protection they should receive two doses of Jynneos Orthopoxvirus vaccine at least 28 days apart.
The county Health Department explained that since maximum immunity is reached 14 days after the second dose, people interested in getting vaccinated should receive their first dose as soon as possible.
If it has been at least 28 days since your first dose, you are eligible to receive your second dose at any time.
Since no vaccine is 100 percent effective, it is important to reduce the risk of potential exposure to Mpox both before and after vaccination.
“Mpox cases in San Mateo County remain low, but we want to make sure everyone in our communities is protected,” said Dr. Vivian Levy, STD Control Officer for the San Mateo County Health Department.
"Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent infection and make sure everyone can enjoy a happy and healthy Pride season," he added.
For some local resources for vaccination against Mpox, those interested can access the online vaccination portal of the California Department of Public Health https://myturn.ca.gov/; or visit the San Mateo County Health Edison STD Clinic, located at 222 West 39th Avenue, first floor, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., although an appointment must be made at (650) 573- 2385.
During the San Mateo County Pride Celebration there will be Mpox vaccination clinics available. This will be on Saturday, June 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To learn more about the locations, attendees can access the sites: San Mateo Central Park https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/; Alameda County ?Alameda County residents only? https://my.primary.health/l/alco-vax-signup; Contra Costa County https://cchealth.org/mpx/; San Francisco https://sf.gov/information/Mpox-vaccine; and in Santa Clara County https://publichealth.sccgov.org/disease-information/monkeypox.
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