Washington, DC – Today, DC Health announced that as of Friday, May 5, August, the three DC Health monkeypox clinics will begin offering limited booster vaccinations for eligible residents on Fridays, pending vaccine availability. These walk-up agreements will increase vaccine access for individuals who may not have the ability or technology to pre-register online, or for those who may not feel comfortable providing their eligibility information online (either online or in person, monkeypox-related information, including eligibility information is confidential).
Friday 5 August, walk vaccinations will be available from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, or while supplies last, at the DC Health monkeypox vaccination clinics located at:
Walk-up vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible residents who have not already received a first dose of the monkeypox vaccine. Each site will have 300 doses available per day. Waiting times may vary depending on demand. Currently, to be eligible for the monkeypox vaccine, a person must be a district resident with proof of residency, 18 years of age or older, and:
All monkeypox vaccinations are confidential and pre-registration for monkeypox appointments will still be available by visiting preventmonkeypox.dc.gov. All residents are invited to pre-register for a vaccination appointment and those not currently eligible will be contacted if eligibility changes and appointments are available.
DC Health’s priority is to reduce the spread of the virus early by ensuring we vaccinate as many high-risk individuals as quickly as possible. Studies have shown that a single dose of the vaccine can continue to provide protection for a minimum of six months. In line with other states’ strategies, other doses of the vaccine at this time will remain temporarily postponed for the district to have the greatest effect now and in the future. However, people who are immunocompromised will receive an invitation to order another dose.
For those who have pre-registered and received a vaccination appointment, DC Health asks that you keep the appointment instead of seeking a one-time vaccination. However, if you are unable to make an appointment, you can email [email protected] to cancel. If you have not yet received an invitation to schedule an appointment, you may not currently be eligible to receive a vaccination under the current eligibility criteria.
As of August 2, 2022, DC Health has:
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral disease that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infectious rashes, scabs or body fluids. It can spread during intimate physical contact between people, including sex, kissing and hugging. It can also be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or when a person touches fabrics, such as bedding and towels, used by a person with monkeypox.
The first symptoms of monkeypox often include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash and lesions on the skin. Although most cases do not require hospitalization, monkeypox is dangerous, highly contagious and unpleasant. While monkeypox can spread to anyone, most actual cases in the district are men who have sex with men. Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to be tested, even if they don’t think they’ve had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
Social Media:
