Monkeypox Vaccines Now Available in Louisiana’s Parish Health Units in the Acadiana Area

On August 30, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Office of Public Health (OPH) Region 4 (Acadiana) announced that they have monkeypox vaccines available at its parish health units.

As of August 29, Louisiana had documented 174 cases of monkeypox in Louisiana citizens since the outbreak began in the United States in 2022. To date, 9 cases have been identified in the Acadiana region alone.

“With the rising cases of monkeypox in our state, we want people who are at risk to know that we have vaccines available at our parish health units,” said Region 4 Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski. “Our goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible to help protect themselves and their loved ones. All you have to do is call to make an appointment.”

Those who are eligible for vaccines are encouraged to schedule an appointment at one of the following locations by following this link or calling 211:

• Acadia Parish Health Unit
• Acadiana Cares
• Evangeline Parish Health Unit
• Iberia Parish Health Unit
• Lafayette Parish Health Unit
• Lafayette Foundation Clinic
• Ochsner Lafayette General Infectious Disease Clinic
• St. Landry Parish Health Unit
• St. Martin Parish Health Unit
• Vermilion Parish Health Unit

Those who are eligible for the vaccine include:

• Gay, bisexual, other (cis or trans) men who have sex with men OR transgender women and nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men AND
• Have had intimate or sexual contact with multiple or anonymous partners in last 14 days or
• Have had intimate or sexual contact with other men in a social or sexual venue in the last 14 days
• Individuals (of any sex/gender identity) who have given or received money or other goods/services in exchange for sex in the last 14 days
• Individuals (of any sex/gender identity) who have been determined to be at high risk for monkeypox exposure by a healthcare provider or public health official.

Monkeypox, while not new, is a potentially serious viral illness caused by a virus not usually seen in the United States and spread through intimate personal contact. The disease can cause illness, including a potentially painful rash that looks like pimples on your skin, blisters, or ulcers. Some patients experience a flu-like condition before developing a rash.

Early data from the CDC indicate that gay, bisexual, same-gender-loving, and other males who have sex with men account for a sizable proportion of cases. Anyone who has had close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can become infected.

Monkeypox Guidance

Monkeypox testing is now commonly available. Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms and want to be tested for monkeypox. Anyone who does not have a provider or insurance can get tested at their parish health unit or community clinic: ldh.la.gov/phu

If your monkeypox test results are positive, you should remain isolated until your rash has healed, all scabs have dropped off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has grown.

Those interested in receiving the vaccine can find more information on the LDH monkeypox webpage, which includes a list of places in Louisiana that have received the vaccine. People can also contact 211 to seek answers to their monkeypox questions.