Open Door Health currently accepting vaccination appointments request on first-come, first-served basis; creating waiting list to more efficiently distribute future vaccine allotments
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (August 3, 2022) – As Rhode Island expands its monkeypox vaccination efforts upon receiving additional supply of vaccine, Open Door Health, a Rhode Island Public Health Institute initiative and Rhode Island’s leading LGBTQ+ primary care and sexual health clinic, is now accepting appointment requests on a first-come, first-served basis.
Located on Central Street in Providence, Open Door Health is one of a few Rhode Island healthcare facilities that is distributing the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to eligible Rhode Islanders. Open Door Health is accepting vaccination appointment requests from any gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with other men who reports having multiple sexual partners. The clinic will prioritize individuals in this population who have been exposed to the monkeypox virus, or who are immunocompromomised or have a weakened immune system.
The Rhode Island Department of Health is also hosting two community vaccination events this week. Pre-registration is strictly required for these events, and can be made at health.ri.gov/monkeypox. RIDOH’s vaccination events will be held:
- Friday, Aug. 5 (4-8PM) at Rhode Island College (600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence)
- Saturday, Aug. 6 (10AM-2PM) at Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School (375 Adelaide Ave., Providence)
For individuals who are not able to attend this weekend’s community vaccination events, Open Door Health is currently accepting vaccination appointment requests at www.odhpvd.org. Due to the extraordinarily high volume of calls, online requests are strongly encouraged. Individuals with a known exposure to the monkeypox virus or who are displaying symptoms should immediately call Open Door Health’s newly launched monkeypox hotline at 401-648-4700.
“As we learn more about this evolving public health crisis, it is clear that we must be aggressive and proactive in our efforts to curb the spread of the monkeypox virus. We are pleased to have received an additional supply of monkeypox vaccine, and our clinical team is prepared to administer vaccine doses to as many eligible Rhode Islanders as possible, as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director, Rhode Island Public Institute.
“Open Door Health proudly affirms the dignity of all persons, including sexual and gender minorities, and we will offer our patients with high-quality medical care in a safe, welcoming and accepting environment. We encourage all eligible Rhode Islanders who believe they may have been exposed to the virus or are displaying symptoms to call our hotline and make an appointment. While our vaccine supply currently remains extremely limited, we have opened up an online vaccination appointment request form for individuals to get on a waiting list. This will help us quickly and efficiently administer more shots as additional supply becomes available.”
Monkeypox was first identified in the United States on May 18 in an individual from Massachusetts. Although it can spread to anybody regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, the monkeypox virus is disproprortionately impacting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Early data suggests the monkeypox virus is rarely fatal, but symptoms can be extremely painful and can sometimes lead to permanent scarring and other long-term medical issues.
The virus is most commonly spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs, contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox, and through respiratory droplets or oral fluids from a person with monkeypox.
Learn more about the monkeypox virus and Open Door Health’s ongoing response at www.odhpvd.org.
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About Open Door Health:
Open Door Health, a Rhode Island Public Health Institute initiative, is Rhode Island’s only dedicated LGBTQ+ primary care and sexual health clinic. Bringing together medical and public health leaders from across the state, Open Door Health strives to provide cutting-edge medical care in a respectful, accepting, and affirming manner.
Open Door Health is located at 7 Central Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Learn more at www.odhpvd.org.