SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – The desperate plea for more vaccines to protect people in the Bay Area from monkeypox is growing louder.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco Public Health Director Doctor Grant Colfax is once again having to explain why there aren't enough vaccines to go around – this time for monkeypox.
Colfax on Tuesday said San Francisco Department of Public Health officials have been "begging" federal health officials "every day on the phone" for more doses to no avail. "It is distressing that in July of 2022 here at the health department we are literally begging our federal partners to provide more vaccine so that we can get it into the arms of people who need it most," Colfax said on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.
The city has received "just 2,888 vaccines from the state" so far, Colfax said.
While monkeypox can affect anyone, right now the people who need those vaccines the most are disproportionately members of the LGBTQ+ community.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO Dr. Tyler TerMeer said their clinic's hotline has been getting 1-2 calls from worried people per minute. "San Francisco AIDS Foundation has only received 290 doses of (the) JYNNEOS vaccine and are anticipating 500 more by the end of the week," he explained. "Yet we have 1,800 eligible individuals on our waiting list for vaccine."
TerMeer has been a vocal critic of the federal government's response.
San Francisco is asking the state for 35,000 more doses.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
