Monkeypox vaccines available at River City Pride Festival Sunday

FILE - This image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) shows a colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles (red) found within an infected cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory that was captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Md. With monkeypox cases subsiding in Europe and parts of North America in 2022, many scientists say now is the time to prioritize stopping the virus in Africa. (NIAID via AP, File) (Uncredited)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The President of Jax River City Pride said Tuesday that monkeypox vaccines will be available at the #JAXRCPride Festival Sunday.

Travis Guthrie told News4JAX Reporter Jim Piggott that the vaccines will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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RELATED: River City Pride expands to four events starting Friday | Jax River City Pride announces parade, festival dates | CW17 & WJXT are proud media sponsors of the 2022 River City Pride parade, festival

On September 15, federal officials expressed cautious optimism about the trajectory of the outbreak, noting that new cases have fallen about 50% since their peak in August.

During a White House briefing, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky attributed the decline to vaccinations, educational outreach and individuals reducing behaviors linked to spread. The vast majority of U.S. cases have been in men who have sex with men, though officials emphasize that the virus can infect anyone.

According to the CDC website, the U.S. has seen 25,162 cases of monkeypox. Florida has 2,455 cases and Georgia has 1,764.

Last month, the Biden administration invoked rare emergency powers to stretch the nation’s limited supply of monkeypox vaccines. And in early September, a separate declaration expedited the use of experimental tests for the virus.


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