In addition to those already eligible for the vaccine, which can prevent the disease if taken within four days of exposure, the following groups can also get the vaccine:
Men who have sex with men and who also have multiple or anonymous sexual partners. Women who have sex with men who have sex with men and who also have multiple or anonymous partners. Transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary people who have multiple or anonymous partners.
“After working with the health department and assessing the needs of our community, we believe we have enough vaccine and the need to expand eligibility,” said Dr. Barbara Nightingale, Allegheny County Health Department deputy clinical services. The vaccine remains available to those in the first priority access group: those who have experienced high-risk exposure to someone diagnosed with monkeypox in the past two weeks and those who had a high probability of exposure in the previous two weeks. Sex workers can also get the vaccine, the county said. The virus, part of the orthopoxvirus family, is similar to smallpox but is usually mild and often causes no symptoms, according to the state Department of Health. Those who develop symptoms may have fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and general malaise and exhaustion. Within days of the onset of fever, patients may develop lesions. Some have a rash and then lesions, while others only have a rash. According to the state agency, although the virus is not easily spread from person to person, it can be spread through prolonged face-to-face contact, close contact, or contact with linens or clothing touched by an infected person. The department notes: “While many of those affected by the current outbreaks are gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in contact with someone who has monkeypox can get sick.” Since late June, 59 people in Allegheny County have contracted the monkeypox virus, 11 of whom were diagnosed in the past two weeks. Those who qualify can make an appointment with the county immunization clinic, but walk-ins are also welcome. The clinic is located on the fourth floor of the Hartley-Rose Building at 435 First Ave. in downtown Pittsburgh. Entrance is on Cherry Way. The clinic is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday, except Thursdays when it is open until 7 pm. The following community health providers also offer the vaccine.
Central Outreach Wellness Center, 127 Anderson St., Suite 101, Pittsburgh. Allies for Health + Wellbeing, 5913 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Metro Community Health Center, 1789 S. Braddock Ave. #410, Pittsburgh. AHN Positive Health Clinic (vaccinating current patients only), 1307 Federal St., Pittsburgh. UPMC Center for Care for Infectious Diseases, 3601 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh.
Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Megan can be reached via email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
