Residents of San Francisco line up outside the monkeypox vaccine clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Monday, trying to get a dose of the vaccine as the city enters its first day of the implemented health emergency.
On Thursday, San Francisco officials declared a medical emergency that began Monday. At the time, there were 261 confirmed cases of monkeypox, 799 cases in California, and over 4,600 cases in the United States.
“San Francisco is an epicenter for the country,” said San Francisco Public Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip. “Thirty percent of all cases in California are in San Francisco.”
“We know that this virus impacts everyone equally – but we also know that those in our LGBTQ community are at greater risk right now,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed added. “Many people in our LGBTQ community are scared and frustrated. This local emergency will allow us to continue to support our most at-risk, while also better preparing for what’s to come.”
The demand for the monkeypox vaccine remained high as the cases grew.
Initially, San Francisco health officials requested 35,000 doses of the vaccine from state and federal officials to meet the needs of San Francisco.
However, to date, the city has received only around 12,000 doses.
And so, there is a long line outside the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital clinic early Monday morning.
Monkeypox is spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including sex, kissing, breathing at close range, and sharing bedding and clothing.
Here are some preventive measures to reduce your risk of infection.
- Limit close skin-to-skin contact with others
- Stay home if you are not feeling well and tell your family and friends to do the same
- Immediately call your doctor if you have a rash or sores
- Talk with your sexual partners about your and their health
