Los Angeles County determined the first death from monkeypox in the county Sept.12.
Shauna Bigby with the Student Health Center said students should arm themselves with information. For more information visit LA County monkeypox and CDC monkeypox.
Bigby says it is important because any potential public health problems affect the campus.
New guidelines from the L.A. Department of Public Health have opened up the monkeypox vaccine to more groups.
The cases of monkeypox have plateaued. The number of infections reported by Los Angeles County was 1,966 as of Sept. 16.
The eligibility for vaccination has expanded to more groups in the community. Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
Under new guidelines by L.A. County Public Health Department open eligibility to:
- Any man who is gay, bisexual, or a transgendered person, who has sex with another man or transgender person is eligible.
- Commerical sex workers regardless of gender or sexual orientation is also now eligible.
- HIV positive persons are now eligible for vaccination.
- A person who knowingly had skin to skin contact or other exposure to someone with a suspected case, even if the case has not been confirmed by the health department, now is eligible.
The vaccination is free to the public and there is no need for identification or proof of claim that one meets the criteria according to L.A. Department of Public Health. It is only suggested that the name given for the vaccination record match the person’s identification if traveling or have other need to have proof of vaccination in the future.
Anyone feeling ill or having symptoms of monkeypox is advised against showing up to a vaccination site.
Instead it is advised to seek testing from a medical provider for confirmation of monkeypox or to call the public health center at 833-540-0473.
Vaccination information can be found at LA County Monkeypox vaccination for a list of sites provided by the county. Other online booking options may be found through My turn CA.
