LA County Public Health announced that it will operate a by appointment only Monkeypox Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic with its pharmacy partner at West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room starting on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. By Thursday, August 4, 2022, appointments were completely booked until the first week of September.
“Due to Limited Availability, we are only releasing one week schedule at a time,” reads a notice on the County of Los Angeles Public Heath’s Monkeypox Vaccination Sites and Vaccination Schedule document via a link provided after receiving a confirmation text that you qualify to get the vaccine. “If no appointments are showing up, we are fully booked. We are releasing more appointments daily as we find more doses.”
The West Hollywood Park Library appointment portal at 625 N San Vicente Boulevard, adds that, “no times are available in the next month from August 8, 2022 to September 7, 2022.”
The availability could change, but until then, the closest walk-up vaccination clinic is in East Los Angeles at Obregon Park, 4021 E 1st Street.
The vaccine is still limited to only qualified individuals. Current eligibility criteria: GAY OR BISEXUAL MEN AND TRANSGENDER PERSONS 18 Years and Older WHO:
• Were diagnosed with gonorrhea or early syphilis within the past 12 months (previously limited to within 3 months and specific to rectal gonorrhea or early syphilis); or
• Are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); or
• Attended or worked at a commercial sex venue or other venue where they had anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners (e.g., saunas, bathhouses, sex clubs, sex party) within past 21 days. Proof is required (Text from LADPH).
All eligibility information is posted at ph.lacounty.gov/monkeypox.
The LA County Public Health Monkeypox Vaccination Pop-Up Clinic in West Hollywood is anticipated to run for approximately six weeks. This schedule may change. The JYNNEOS vaccine is administered in two doses. According to LA County Public Health, as soon as federal vaccine supply expands, it will make second doses available to those who received their initial dose.
On Monday, August 1, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to bolster the state’s vaccination efforts. The proclamation supports the work underway by the California Department of Public Health to coordinate a whole-of-government response to monkeypox, seek additional vaccines, and lead outreach and education efforts on accessing vaccines and treatment. The state’s response to monkeypox builds on the infrastructure developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to deploy vaccine clinics and ensure inclusive and targeted outreach in partnership with local and community-based organizations. The emergency proclamation can be found here.
Early data suggests that gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise a high number of cases of monkeypox virus in this current outbreak. Anyone, however, in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Currently, there are approximately 496 confirmed cases in LA County.
According to Public Health officials, signs of infection may include: fever and headaches; swollen lymph nodes; muscle aches; and rash, bumps, or blisters, which may be limited to one part of the body. LA County Public Health has prepared a variety of health education resources, including flyers and handouts, such as: Pamphlet; Flyer; Signage; Pocketcard; and Intimate Contact Handout.
LA County Public Health reminds community members: if you think you have monkeypox, first speak to your primary care provider. If you do not have a regular provider, call 2-1-1 for assistance. In addition, people who have developed a rash can access services at LA County Public Health’s Sexual Health Clinics.
For all monkeypox information, as well as additional options and locations for vaccination (known as Points of Dispensing, PODs) please visit ph.lacounty.gov/monkeypox. People without access to internet, or people who need help with registration for an appointment, can call 2-1-1 for assistance.
