D.C. currently has seven confirmed cases of monkeypox, a rare but serious disease spread through close contact.

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D.C. is making available a limited number of appointments for monkeypox vaccines, but only for specific groups of residents.

DC Health announced Monday that 300 appointments would be available on Tuesday and Thursday. Less than 15 minutes after the appointment calendar opened, the city tweeted that all appointments had been claimed.

 

According to the city, anyone who met the following criteria would be allowed to register for one of the appointments.

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men 18 and older who have sex with men and have had multiple (more than one) sexual partners or any anonymous sexual partners in the last 14 days.
  • Transgender women or nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men.
  • Sex workers (of any sexual orientation/gender).
  • Staff (of any sexual orientation/gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g., bathhouses, saunas, sex clubs).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 24 some 201 monkeypox cases have been detected across the U.S., including seven in D.C., three in Maryland, and two in Virginia.

Monkeypox is a rare and potentially deadly viral disease that is largely spread between people through body fluids or contact with lesions and rashes. The flu-like symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash and lesions on the skin. Hospitalization isn’t always needed, D.C. officials say that it is “dangerous, highly contagious, and uncomfortable.”

Anyone experiencing symptoms is asked to get tested by their healthcare provider.

D.C. will be conducting the vaccinations for residents who secure appointments at 7530 Georgia Avenue NW, and will increase scheduling to Wednesdays and Sundays if more doses are secured from the federal government.

DC Health said on Twitter that updates on additional doses would be shared on social media as early as Wednesday.

This post has been updated to reflect that all appointments had been claimed.

Previously: 

What You Need To Know About Monkeypox In The D.C. Region

Filed Under: d.c. health department,