Monkeypox vaccination clinic this Saturday, eligibility for the vaccine expanded

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 14, 2022

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District is holding a monkeypox vaccination clinic this Saturday. The Health District has expanded eligibility to additional individuals who are at risk for exposure. This includes:

Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, and transgender, gender non-conforming or other gender non-binary individuals with HIV or a history of a sexually-transmitted infection in the last 12 months.
Sex workers of any gender identify or sexual orientation.

Individuals currently meeting the criteria for monkeypox vaccination include:

Those who had close physical contact within the past 14 days with someone known or suspected of having monkeypox. This includes:
- Those who know or suspect their sexual partner(s) of having monkeypox.
- Those who live in the same household as someone they know or suspect of having monkeypox.
Those who have been informed by the Health District they are a close contact of someone with monkeypox.
Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, and transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary individuals who had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days, especially at a venue, event, or within a social group where a person with a known or suspected case of monkeypox was present.

Individuals who had monkeypox are not eligible for the vaccine. Vaccine clients will be assessed prior to receiving the vaccine to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.

The monkeypox vaccine clinic is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at its main public health center at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. The clinic is located inside the external white structure on the south side of the building. First doses of the vaccine are available by appointment only and can be scheduled at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/s/vaccine-type. Second doses of the vaccine are available on a walk-in basis.

As of September 13, 5,198 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine have been administered in Clark County. There have been 211 probable and confirmed cases reported.

While current data show that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of current reported cases of monkeypox, the Health District reminds the public that anyone can get monkeypox, which is primarily spread through close, physical contact between people. A person with monkeypox can spread the virus to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness will typically last two to four weeks.

People can protect themselves from monkeypox by avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox, contact with objects and materials that person with monkeypox has used, and washing their hands often. Additional prevention information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention/protect-yourself.html.

Up to date information is also available on the Health District website at www.SNHD.info/monkeypox.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.