CDC via AP
This 1997 image provided by the CDC during an investigation into an outbreak of monkeypox, which took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), formerly Zaire, and depicts the dorsal surfaces of the hands of a monkeypox case patient, who was displaying the appearance of the characteristic rash during its recuperative stage.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 | 1:45 p.m.
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The Southern Nevada Health District has expanded eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine to include more people at risk for exposure.
Eligibility now includes sex partners of anyone previously eligible for the vaccine or who anticipates experiencing other risk factors, health officials said.
Monkeypox causes symptoms beginning with fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes followed by a rash, officials said.
The Health District and the Huntridge Family Clinic will offer vaccination clinics this weekend at Las Vegas Pride events.
Those eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine now include:
• Anyone who has had close physical contact in the past 14 days with someone known or suspected of having the virus, including sexual partners or cohabitants.
• Anyone informed by the Health District they are a close contact of someone with the virus.
• Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, and transgender, gender nonconforming or gender nonbinary people who have had multiple or anonymous sexual partners in the last 12 months or have HIV or a history of sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months.
• Sex workers of any gender identity or sexual orientation, as well as people of any gender identity or sexual orientation who had sex at a commercial sex venue or in association with a large public event.
• Those of any gender identity or sexual orientation who are sexual partners to anyone eligible for the vaccine or anticipate experiencing any of the identified risks for the virus.
Anyone who has received a first dose of vaccine is eligible for a second dose, whether or not they meet the criteria, according to the Health District.
Everyone eligible for the vaccine is encouraged to get two doses for best protection, the district said.
Health District staff will offer the vaccine from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Pride Parade in downtown Las Vegas at Carson Avenue and Fourth Street.
Huntridge Family Clinic staff will offer the vaccine Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. at the Pride Festival at Craig Ranch Regional Park, 628 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas.
A total of 251 probable or confirmed monkeypox cases have been reported in Clark County, and 6,589 doses of vaccine have been administered, the district said.
Monkeypox spreads through contact with infectious monkeypox sores, bodily fluids and objects or fabrics used by someone with monkeypox, health officials said. It can also spread through sexual contact or prolonged face-to-face contact, officials said.
The illness typically lasts two to four weeks, and most people have mild illness, officials said.
