CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Department of Public Health began vaccinating residents against monkeypox on Wednesday.
According to the city of Cleveland, nearly 75 JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine doses were given.
The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland had a busy morning as it served as a pop-up clinic for monkeypox vaccines as the virus continues to disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community.
Daniel Budish was one of those who were vaccinated on Wednesday. Budish is a co-developer of Studio West 117, which he describes as a new neighborhood for the LBGT community. He’s hoping to host additional monkeypox vaccine clinics at entertainment spaces there in order to bring the clinics and vaccines to where people feel comfortable.
"It was really important to me and my partner that we get vaccinated for the monkeypox," Budish told 3News. "It's very important for us to be part of the solution."
In the upcoming days, individuals who meet the requirements will have the opportunity to get vaccinated against monkeypox in Cleveland. Due to the limited supply of monkeypox vaccines, only a small group of people qualify for it in Cleveland.
When are the next monkeypox vaccination clinics in Cleveland?
- Cleveland Department of Public Health vaccine clinic
- Friday, Aug. 26, 3-9 p.m.
- 1313 East 26th Street, Cleveland
- MetroHealth vaccine clinic
- Friday, Aug. 26, 7 a.m to 7 p.m.
- 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland
How old do you have to be to get vaccinated against monkeypox?
- 18 years old
Who is eligible for the monkeypox vaccine?
- Individuals having unprotected contact between a person’s skin or mucous membranes and the skin, lesions, or bodily fluids from a patient or contaminated materials (e.g., linens, clothing)
- Individuals with attendance at events/venues linked to known monkeypox transmission
- Any individual who has or is likely to have prolonged intimate contact that would put them at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox virus
- Have not previously been diagnosed with monkeypox or do not currently have signs/symptoms of monkeypox.
- Individuals who currently or previously were sick with monkeypox are not eligible because vaccination given after the onset of signs/symptoms of monkeypox is not expected to provide benefit.
How to register for a monkeypox vaccine clinic?
- No pre-registration/appointment is required for Friday's vaccine clinic from the Cleveland Department of Health
- Appointments can be made for the MetroHealth vaccine clinic by calling 440-592-6843 and selecting option three.
3News' Isabel Lawrence spoke with Cleveland Department of Public Health Director Dr. David Margolius, who said individuals can also contact their healthcare providers or doctors to discuss their case and receive a vaccine from their doctor's office.
Another opportunity individuals will have to get vaccinated is by attending an upcoming clinic at the Cuyahoga County Board of Health office at 5550 Venture Drive in Parma. Appointments can be scheduled HERE.
"People who get vaccinated should continue to take steps to protect themselves from infection by avoiding close, skin‐to‐skin contact, including intimate contact, with someone who has monkeypox. Fully vaccinated individuals are still recommended to protect themselves against monkeypox and to isolate at home," said the Cleveland Department of Public Health in a press release.
RELATED: Cuyahoga County officials give update on monkeypox vaccine rollout, latest on COVID-19 response
Officials from the Cleveland Department of Public Health noted that as the supply of the monkeypox vaccine increases, they will set up more clinics to vaccinate high-risk individuals.
More information on monkeypox and dates for upcoming monkeypox vaccination clinics can be found here.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Aug. 23, 2022.