SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Tuesday sent a letter urging the federal government to send the city more monkeypox vaccines as case rates continue to swell.
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As of Tuesday, San Francisco had 141 diagnosed monkeypox cases – up from 86 late last week – one of the highest infection totals among any U.S. city and more than most states. In addition, the virus has disproportionately impacted the LGBTQ community, which has a significant presence in the city.
As a result, demand for the virus' vaccine has skyrocketed in recent weeks, but supply has been drastically limited.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health last week asked for 35,000 additional vaccine doses from the federal government, but only received 3,580 as of July 15, according to the mayor’s office. By Monday, the city's clinics had already used 95% of that allotment. The agency received an additional 4,163 doses this week, which Breed said will be used "within days."
In the letter, addressed to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Human Health Services and former California Attorney General, the mayor called for "more urgent action in cities like San Francisco where there are larger communities at greater risk."
"(The LGBTQ community) is frustrated and I share their frustration," Breed wrote.
"If we take action now to vaccinate people in the San Francisco, we can help slow the spread in the region, the state, and the country," she continued. "San Francisco stands ready to support this urgent public health response if given the resources to do so."
In an effort to expanded vaccine accessibility, the city on Wednesday opened a new drop-in clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. The supply of vaccines was quickly claimed among those who made appointments.
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