By all measures, the health department’s mass vaccination event Thursday was a success, effectively delivering the initial jab to hundreds deemed eligible under the department’s phased vaccine rollout.
Still, while demand was high leading into the clinic, health department spokesman Kevin Hall says he’s seeing a troubling trend of people shrugging off the disease.
"So it can be transmitted through sex. It can also be transmitted through hugging, kissing, shared equipment and clothes," Hall says. "So it's not something that is just spread sexually and too many people I'm seeing on social media are saying, 'Well, not going to affect me... I'm not going to need to worry about this.' We don't want you to worry about it, but we want you to be cautious. We want you to take the proper steps to protect you and to protect others."
Right now, in part due to limited quantities of the vaccine, the department is concentrating its early efforts on those deemed at higher risk.
Starting Monday, Aug. 22, limited same-day appointments for the monkeypox vaccine in our Public Health Clinic can be made online at https://t.co/j8AsrAk7gq every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
— Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (@LFCHD) August 19, 2022
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Phase one targeted those believed to have had close contact with someone who is positive for monkeypox. Phase two – the current phase – is directed toward vaccinating men who have sex with men or meet other criteria. The third phase will include anyone who wishes to get vaccinated.
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For now, Hall says the city has enough vaccine to effectively administer the phased rollout. Starting Monday, eligible residents can register online for the free monkeypox vaccination Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but a limited number of slots will be open.
