This announcement follows a partnership between APH and Wellness Equity Alliance that provided more than 4,000 doses to the community.
“As the rate of new cases has dropped, vaccines are now being handled by APH staff,” officials said in a press release on Jan. 11. “The success of vaccine efforts is evident through data.”
Officials said in the press release that while 260 cases have been reported in the Austin-Travis County area since the start of the monkeypox outbreak, only 14 new cases were reported in December, and three have been reported in January.
“We're encouraged by the drop in new cases we're seeing, but that doesn't mean we can let up in our efforts to stop the spread,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes of the Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “Monkeypox is still in our community, and being vaccinated protects yourself and others.”
The World Health Organization defines monkeypox as a viral disease that spreads easily by close contact with an infected person, and anyone can contract the viral disease regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. APH officials said symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache; swollen lymph nodes and chills; exhaustion; and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, or on the hands, feet, chest or genitals. The rash will go through different stages before healing completely, and the illness typically lasts between two to four weeks, APH officials said.
There are two doses required to be considered fully immunized for monkeypox, and APH's Immunization Unit provides both doses. In addition, APH has partnered with several health care services to provide the vaccines to those without a primary care physician. Those partners are Wellness Equity Alliance at 512-972-5560, CommUnity Care at 512-978-5463, Kind Clinic at 833-937-5463 and Vivent Health at 512-458-2437.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call APH at 512-972-5520.
