(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser and DC Health announced that starting today at 1 p.m., a limited number of monkeypox vaccination dates will become available to eligible District residents on PreventMonkeypox.dc.gov. To be considered eligible for monkeypox vaccination, persons must be residents of the District over the age of 18 and:
The monkeypox vaccination is free, subject to availability, and will be conducted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 1 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at 7530 Georgia Ave NW. A total of 300 appointments will be available today for Tuesday and Thursday. If the District receives additional doses of vaccine from the federal government, the vaccination scheduling site will reopen on Wednesday for Sunday appointments.
Upon arrival for the appointment, confirmation of the appointment and proof of residence will be required. Proof of residence may include a DC ID card, a utility bill or other mail with your name and DC address, or a current DC lease or mortgage with your name.
Smallpox is a rare but potentially serious viral disease that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with body fluids or smallpox lesions / rash. Smallpox can spread during intimate contact between people, including respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, during intimate physical contact such as sex, kissing or hugging, and touching fabrics and objects during sex used by a person with monkeypox, such as are bed linen and towels.
The initial symptoms of monkeypox often include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash and skin lesions. Although most cases do not require hospitalization, smallpox is dangerous, highly contagious, and annoying. Although smallpox can spread to anyone, most current cases in the District are in men who have sex with men.
If you show symptoms of monkeypox or want to get tested for orthopoxvirus, the parent monkeypox virus, visit your doctor or local wellness clinic.
Residents are encouraged to follow DC Health’s social media channels for updates on the availability of the monkeypox vaccine and visit PreventMonkeypox.dc.gov for the latest information on the virus.
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