ATLANTA, G.A, August 25, 2022 — Stop HIV Atlanta is a non-profit organization offering sex-positive and queer-centric resources to mitigate the HIV crisis in Atlanta. With the current monkeypox outbreak, our goal is to provide reliable and current information to help those at the highest risk of contracting the virus.
Circumstances such as delays, supply issues, and lack of accessibility make getting a monkeypox vaccine hard. To mitigate these barriers to access, the Georgia Department of Health launched a centralized online scheduling tool that makes the monkeypox vaccine now more accessible than ever for those eligible. Below, we have compiled a list of steps to follow to get a monkeypox vaccine in Georgia.
NOTE: If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of monkeypox, call your county’s health department to receive further instructions and potentially schedule a vaccine appointment. Do not use the online vaccine scheduling system.
Visit the Official Website
This link directs you to the correct site to schedule your vaccination appointment. Under the Vaccine Eligibility and Contact/Demographic icons, choose from a list of potential vaccines. Select the “Monkeypox — Dose 1 Or Dose 2 (JYNNEOS™)” option. Then, click the blue continue button under your selection.
If you cannot access the link or need additional support, call the Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at (888) 457-0186 to register for a vaccine appointment.
Consider Your Eligibility
Since the vaccine doses are limited, not everyone is currently eligible for a vaccine. Here are some requirements you should meet:
- You must be 18 or older.
- You must be a man who has sex with other men (MSM) or someone who has close, intimate, or sexual contact with people who are MSM.
- If you are scheduling your second dose, you must wait 28 days from receiving your first dose.
You will also be asked to provide your date of birth and information that may influence your eligibility, including:
- Have you been diagnosed with monkeypox virus infection after May 17, 2022?
- Have you had 2 or more sexual partners in the last 14 days who are MSM or who have close, intimate, or sexual contact with persons who are MSM?
- Have you been diagnosed with monkeypox virus infection after receiving your first dose of JYNNEOS™?
The website will determine your eligibility to receive the vaccine based on your answers. If you are eligible for vaccination, you will be asked to provide some legal information, such as your name and preferred language.
About the Monkeypox Vaccine
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FD) approved the JYNNEOS™ vaccine to prevent diseases such as monkeypox and smallpox. The vaccine is available for individuals over the age of 18 who are considered to be at high risk. Two intradermal doses of the vaccine should be administered 28 days apart. The JYNNEOS™ vaccine is safe and has been tested on individuals with immunocompromising conditions, such as HIV.
About Stop HIV Atlanta:
Stop HIV Atlanta is a non-profit organization offering educational resources to prevent the propagation of HIV in disproportionately affected communities. We provide inclusive, zero-judgment information and resources to those seeking access to HIV services in Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb Counties. The testing, prevention (PrEP), and treatment resources we refer to interested parties are always confidential and secure. Learn more about our mission and services by visiting www.stophivatl.org or emailing us at [email protected].
