The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County is working with its partners to acquire and distribute the monkeypox vaccine to all eligible residents.
Appointments for a vaccination event later this month at The Center Kissimmee were completely book in a matter of about 48 hours. But if you still need the vaccine and meet the current eligibility requirements, you may still be able to get one of a limited supply through the county’s health department.
It’s website (osceola.floridahealth.gov) has an “Important Community Update” button at the top, with directions for calling to make an appointment (no walk-ins will be accepted) at 407-343-2000 if there are vaccines available.
Hepatitis A (Havrix) and Meningococcal disease vaccine (Menveo) are also be available at the time of those appointments.
Those eligible for the monkeypox vaccine are: Close contacts of monkeypox cases, or those with potential exposure; Those with multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known monkeypox; Laboratory and health care personnel at high risk; Men who have sex with men.
FDOH information shows 18 reported monkeypox cases in Osceola County through Saturday (15 in August), the latest info available at deadline for this issue.
According to the Health Department, current data suggests that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox outbreak. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Furthermore, this is not solely a sexually-transmitted disease. Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or carrier would put another at risk for contracting monkeypox.
“We are working on having additional events in the coming weeks,” Osceola County Health Department spokesperson Jeremy Lanier said.
