San Mateo, CA –In preparation for the summer season and Pride celebrations in the Bay Area, San Mateo County Health urges at-risk individuals to protect themselves against the mpox virus, which spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids from sexual contact or close sustained physical contact. The 2022 outbreak in the U.S. has been spread almost exclusively through sexual contact.
The Bay Area and other parts of the country are currently seeing a resurgence in mpox cases. After more than 6 months without a reported case, San Mateo County has a new mpox case this month.
Unlike COVID-19, which spreads easily through the air, the risk of mpox to the public is low.
County Health strongly encourages vaccination for those populations likely to be most impacted as mpox increases in the Bay Area. These populations include persons living with HIV, anyone taking or eligible to take HIV PrEP, and all men, trans people and non-binary people who have sex with men, trans people or non-binary people. Additional information about mpox prevention is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals. Other symptoms include fever, chills and muscle aches.
Anyone who wants protection against mpox should seek the vaccine. For the best protection, they should receive two doses of the Jynneos orthopox vaccine at least 28 days apart.
Since peak immunity is reached 14 days after the second dose, people interested in getting vaccinated should get their first dose as soon as possible. If it has been at least 28 days since your first dose, you are eligible to receive your second dose at any time.
Since no vaccine is one hundred percent effective, it is important to reduce risk of potential exposures to mpox both before and after being vaccinated.
“Cases of mpox in San Mateo County remain low, but we want to make sure that everyone in our communities is protected,” said Dr. Vivian Levy, San Mateo County Health’s STD control officer. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the infection and make sure that everyone can enjoy a happy and healthy Pride season.”
Local Resources for Mpox Vaccination
- The California Department of Public Health’s Online Vaccination Portal
MYturn.ca.gov/ - San Mateo County Health’s Edison STD Clinic (by appointment only)
222 West 39th Avenue, First Floor, San Mateo
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(650) 573-2385
https://www.smchealth.org/location/edison-clinic - San Mateo County Pride Celebration (mpox vaccine walk-up clinic available)
Saturday June 10, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Mateo Central Park
https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/ - Alameda County (Alameda County residents only)
https://my.primary.health/l/alco-vax-signup -
Contra Costa County
https://cchealth.org/mpx/ -
San Francisco
https://sf.gov/information/Mpox-vaccine -
Santa Clara County
https://publichealth.sccgov.org/disease-information/monkeypox
Preston Merchant
Communications Officer
San Mateo County Health
(650) 867-1661
press@smchealth.org