VALDOSTA – Lowndes County Health Department will host two Monkeypox vaccine events in the coming weeks.

The events will be held on Friday, August 26 and Friday, September 2 from 8 a.m. to noon. Both events will be held at the health department located at 206 South Patterson Street in Valdosta.

At this time vaccinations are only available to individuals who are 18 years of age or older, individuals who are not showing any symptoms of Monkeypox, and those who fit into one of the specific populations below:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox

The health department will be offering the Jynneos vaccine during the vaccination events. The Jynneos vaccination is given in a two-dose series, administered four weeks apart.

Vaccination is not recommended for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of Monkeypox. Symptoms include headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, or a rash that may be located on or near the genitals but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Monkeypox, contact your healthcare provider or local health department to request testing.

In addition to vaccination for those who qualify, there are steps the general public can take to protect themselves as well:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox. Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

For more information on monkeypox, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/monkeypox or https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

For more information on the Monkeypox vaccine events, call the Lowndes County Health Department at (229)333-5257.

To schedule a Monkeypox vaccine appointment call the health department or visit https://gta-vras.powerappsportals.us/en-US/.