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Dallas County expands monkeypox vaccine eligibility
Dallas County expanded its requirements to get the monkeypox vaccine beginning Wednesday and is opening a new vaccination clinic.
DALLAS - Dallas County expanded its requirements to get the monkeypox vaccine beginning Wednesday and is opening a new vaccination clinic.
In recent days, Dallas County has received about 5,000 more doses of the monkeypox vaccine.
Dallas County Health and Human Services announced Wednesday more people who may be at risk for contracting the virus can get one.
"So many are calling in trying to get the vaccine because they are having symptoms or other reasons why," said Christian Grisales with DCHS. "Fortunately, we are able to provide more vaccine to the community."
Now, any adult man who’s had casual sex with another man within the past two weeks is eligible. That includes people who meet in a bar, party or on an app.
Previously, the county required someone be directly exposed or have multiple or anonymous partners.
Marc Tuton lives in Dallas. He got his second dose of the two-dose regiment last week. He said in recent weeks, he’s seen a big improvement in vaccine allocation.
"I really have to give them credit because DCHHS has really stepped up," he said. "They have a link now, can fill out a pre-screener and some can get the vaccine within an hour of filling out the pre-screener as long as they can get to the appointment."
FILE - A vial of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine sits on a table at a pop-up vaccination clinic opened today by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at the West Hollywood Library on August 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by …
Dallas County has nearly 350 cases of monkeypox, and almost all of the patients are men.
And even though the current outbreak is mostly being driven by sexual activity, it’s not sexually transmitted infection.
Historically, monkeypox outbreaks happened within family units or tight-knit communities.
Even in this outbreak, women and children are catching it.
Harris County recently reported its first case in a child.
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"It’s just another virus that we have to get ahead of, and we have a vaccine that’s tried and true already," Tuton said.
Starting Thursday, Dallas County will open a drive-thru vaccine site at its office on North Stemmons Freeway.
"It’s going to be a drive-thru location where you are able to just come in, get vaccinated in their vehicle and then stay for observation and go home," Grisales said.
The county is only vaccinating people who do not have an active infection by appointment only. It will operate similar to the early days of COVID-19 vaccines.
"It is by appointment only," Grisales said. "So once they make an appointment, they get an invitation to come at a certain time, and then they will come in and get vaccinated."
RELATED: Monkeypox virus: Symptoms, vaccines and testing
More than 1,000 cases have been confirmed in Texas, according to the CDC. Only New York and California have more.
If you believe you have monkeypox, Dallas County HHS says you should remain isolated until you receive your test results. If you test positive, they say to stay isolated until skin lesions have completely healed, and you have been cleared by your medical provider.