LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Los Angeles County is seeing a surge in MPOX cases, health officials said Monday, urging people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated.
According to the county Department of Public Health, 52 cases of MPOX have been reported in the county over the past four weeks, more than double the 24 cases reported in the four weeks prior to that. Health officials said about 70% of the latest cases were in unvaccinated people.
Health officials have recommended vaccination for people at high risk of infection.
— Men or transgender people having sex with men or transgender people.
–People of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in sexual acts or intimate physical contact with others in connection with a large public event, or who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex activities.
–People with HIV infection, especially those with uncontrolled or advanced HIV infection
— Sexual partners of people in any of the above groups.
The mpox vaccine is a two-dose vaccine that is available at pharmacies for people with insurance. The vaccine may also be available through your health care provider.
County health departments are offering the free MPOX vaccine without an appointment. A list of health centers can be found online at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chs/phcenters.htm .
A list of public health, pharmacies and other locations offering the vaccine can be found at http://ph.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox/docs/PublicMpoxReferral.pdf .
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