Metro Health Receives Monkeypox Vaccine and Treatment – The City of San Antonio

MEDIA CONTACTS:
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, METRO HEALTH
Cleo Garcia, [email protected]
210-722-7944

BEXAR COUNTY:
Monica Ramos, [email protected]
210-335-2742

SAN ANTONIO (August 2, 2022) – San Antonio Metro Health has received 1,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine JYNNEOSTM from the Texas Department of State Health Services, enough to fully vaccinate 500 people.


To protect the people most at risk, 720 vaccine doses to cover 360 people will be distributed to existing patients at the following clinics:

• Alamo Area Resource Center (AARC)
• BEAT AIDS
• CentroMed Santa Rosa Pavilion Clinic
• Kind Clinic San Antonio
• San Antonio AIDS Foundation
• University Health’s Family-Focused AIDS Clinical Treatment Services (FFACTS)

Vaccines will be provided to these patients by appointment only at these 6 clinics.


As additional vaccine becomes available, distribution will be expanded.


Dr. Anita K. Kurian, Metro Health Assistant Director, explained that the remaining 280 doses will be used to vaccinate up to 140 close contacts identified during Metro Health case investigations.


“We are working to acquire additional doses to expand the availability of monkeypox vaccine,” she said. “In the meantime, we encourage those that believe they were exposed to monkeypox to please call 210-207-8876.”


An antiviral for monkeypox, Tecovirimat (TPOXX), is now available through Metro Health to support local providers. The treatment is for people with diagnosed monkeypox who have severe disease or are at high risk for severe disease, such as people who are immunocompromised or have certain skin conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, children under 8, and people with certain skin conditions.


As of August 1, 2022, 13 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Bexar County. As of this week, Texas has 338 cases of monkeypox reported. The current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public appears to be low in the broader community at the moment.


Monkeypox symptoms include a rash or sores that look like pimples or blisters, fever, headache, weakness, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Monkeypox can spread from person to person through prolonged face-to-face contact, and or close contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Contact with items such as clothing or linens that previously touched the rash or body fluids is another way that monkeypox can spread. Individuals who believe they have monkeypox should call their healthcare provider. Uninsured individuals can call 311 to find a low-cost clinic near them.
The illness usually lasts two to four weeks. It can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash fully heals and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

For more information on monkeypox and vaccine prioritization please visit Metro Health’s monkeypox webpage gold CDC Monkeypox.