The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Region 4 (Acadiana) Office of Public Health (OPH) has monkeypox vaccines available at its parish health units.
As of August 29, Louisiana has identified 174 cases of monkeypox among Louisiana residents since the start of the monkeypox epidemic in the United States in 2022. In the Acadiana region alone, 9 cases have been reported to date.
“With the increase in cases of monkeypox in our state, we want those at risk to know that we have vaccines available at our parish health units,” said Region 4 Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski. “Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible to help protect themselves and their loved ones. Just call to make an appointment. »
- Acadia Parish Health Unit
- Acadiana cares
- Evangeline Parish Health Unit
- Iberia Parish Health Unit
- Lafayette Parish Health Unit
- Lafayette Foundation Clinic
- General Clinic for Infectious Diseases Ochsner Lafayette
- St. Landry Parish Health Unit
- St. Martin Parish Health Unit
- Vermilion Parish Health Unit
Those who are eligible for the vaccine include:
- Gays, bisexuals, other men (cis or trans) who have sex with men OR transgender women and non-binary people designated male at birth who have sex with men AND
- Have had intimate or sexual contact with multiple or anonymous partners in the last 14 days or
- Having had intimate or sexual contact with other men in a social or sexual place in the last 14 days
- Individuals (of any sex/gender identity) who have given or received money or other goods/services in exchange for sex in the past 14 days
- Individuals (of any sex/gender identity) who have been determined to be at high risk of exposure to monkeypox by a healthcare professional or public health official.
Although not new, monkeypox is a potentially serious viral illness caused by a virus not commonly found in the United States, which is spread through close physical contact. The disease can make you sick, including a possibly painful rash, which may look like bumps on the skin, blisters or ulcers. Some people have a flu-like illness before developing a rash.
According to the CDC, early data suggests that gay, bisexual, gay men and other men who have sex with men account for a high number of cases. However, anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone with monkeypox can become infected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Advice on monkeypox
If you test positive for monkeypox, stay in isolation until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of intact skin has formed.
