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Gay, Trans Men Get Monkeypox Vaccine in Maricopa County

Last week, hundreds received their first dose of the monkeypox vaccine at a Phoenix clinic for LGBTQ people at high risk for the virus.

About 611 people were vaccinated during the three-hour walk-up on July 21, according to the Maricopa County Public Health Department. The free vaccine event at his county STD clinic on East Roosevelt Street was a first for the health department.

Vaccine clinics were open to people who identified as gay or bisexual. cis or trans men; men, trans women who have intimate or sexual contact with multiple anonymous partners or participate in sex work.

said Taylor Piontek, director of clinical services at the Southwest Center, an LGBTQ+ healthcare clinic in Phoenix. “The process was very seamless.” He was among those who received the vaccine at the clinic.

Hosted by the health department Additional Vaccine Clinic Wednesday 27th July, 3rd August and 8th August.

Maricopa County reported 21 confirmed cases and 14 probable cases. Monkeypox on July 22nd. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 29 confirmed 2,891 nationwide in Arizona. Anyone can get the virus, but CDC said monkeypox It disproportionately affects “gays, bisexuals, and other men who have sex with men.”

Health care providers and advocates want to continue to emphasize education, outreach and responsiveness to LGBTQ people, but siled public messaging further stigmatizes them and poses common public health risks. We are concerned that it may increase

“It’s important to remember that this is not just for LGBTQ+,” Piontek said. “It happens in heterosexual couples, bisexual couples, or heterosexual couples.”

Monkeypox is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, prolonged face-to-face contact, or contaminated clothing and linens. The disease causes rashes and sores, fever, pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue. It lasts about 2-4 weeks.

The first monkeypox case in the United States of 2022 occurred in Massachusetts on May 18, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The first case in Maricopa County was announced in early June.

Testing is now available in Maricopa County starting July 13th. quest diagnosis, labcorp, and Mayo Clinic Research Institutethe results will be returned within 2-3 days.

Local responses to the virus are limited by national strains on vaccine supplies. The US Department of Health and Human Services has reported distributing about 200,000 vaccines nationwide in recent weeks and is preparing to distribute another 800,000 vaccines this summer.

When the first case was reported in Arizona, the Maricopa County Public Health Department received 100 doses of the vaccine, followed by an additional 334 doses to be used in people exposed to the virus.

Maricopa County is one of the few communities with access to the monkeypox vaccine. Department recently received 1,200 doses for distribution throughout Maricopa, Pinal, Gira and La Paz counties have recently opened clinics.

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Hundreds of doses of monkeypox vaccine were administered at a clinic for LGBTQ people in Phoenix on July 21.

Matt Henney

“A virus that infects everyone”

Piontek said the Southwest Center has yet to see patients with active or probable monkeypox cases. However, he has briefed staff on protocols for dealing with potential cases and is looking to secure a vaccine in the future.

Piontek added that the center is also involved in outreach and education about the virus, along with other LGBTQ health organizations and foundations.

Jimmy Thomason, executive director of the Aunt Rita Foundation, an organization that funds and connects HIV agencies across the state, said it was important to focus on those most affected. However, we are particularly concerned about further stigma against LGBTQ people, especially given the current political climate. .

“Gay marriage is seen as a scourge by so many that in 2022 Congress will vote on whether men can marry men,” Thomason said. It’s like telling someone to quit smoking, but you still don’t deserve the fresh air.”

Thomason emphasized the importance of inclusive language, such as using the pronouns “we” and “we” when talking about monkeypox.

“We are talking about a virus that can infect anyone,” he said.

Equality Arizona, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy and policy organization, closely monitors monkeypox. Jeanne Woodbury, the nonprofit’s policy and communications director, said it’s important to focus on the medical side of how contagion works, rather than the social side of who’s most affected right now. said it is.

“This is very dangerous not only for gay and bisexual men and people in the MSM community, but also for everyone else. You can only get this if you are a gay man. If it is recognized as such,” said Mr Woodbury.

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