Health Department Participates in Gay Pride Events to Promote Monkeypox Vaccine

With a call for the prevention of the disease caused by the monkeypox virus, the Health Department (DS) will participate in two Gay Pride events this month to guide and promote the mpox vaccine. In addition, they launch an information campaign aimed at promoting the two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

The Puerto Rico LGBTTIQ Pride March will take place today Sunday, June 4 at El Escambrón beach in San Juan today and the LGBTQ Pride Festival in Boquerón next Sunday, June 11.

A vaccination station will be set up during the events, where health experts will administer the mpox vaccine. In addition, relevant information about the disease and preventive measures that can be taken to prevent its spread will be provided.

In Puerto Rico, to date, around 6,350 vaccines against monkeypox have been administered. However, the Department continues its efforts to keep the vaccine accessible to those eligible people or in groups of people at high risk of infection. Since the epidemic began on the Island in June 2022 to date, 211 confirmed cases have been identified.

“By getting vaccinated, we reduce the spread of the virus and help create a protection barrier that limits its transmission,” said the secretary of the DS, Carlos Mellado López, who called for mpox vaccination.

The head of the agency recognized the work of the agency’s Epidemiology and Vaccination Programs, who worked hard to identify cases and vaccinate exposed people and thus control the chain of infections. In the same way, the joint effort with all sectors to carry out prevention events.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that reemerged in May 2022. The virus that is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact can include symptoms such as headache, fever, muscle pain, and skin rash.

The JYNNEOS vaccine consists of two doses and was developed to provide protection against smallpox and monkeypox infections. People need to get both doses of the vaccine to get the best protection against monkeypox.

The second dose should be given four weeks after the first.