Palm Springs requests CDC, CA shift strategy in acquisition and distribution of Monkeypox vaccines

The city of Palm Springs is calling on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the California Department of Public Health to quickly shift their strategy in the acquisition and distribution of the Monkeypox vaccine in order to better meet demand.

Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton sent a letter to CDPH director Thomas Aragon last week, requesting that the CDC and CDPH accelerate the purchase of the vaccine and prioritize distribution first to communities already experiencing a high rate of incidents and second to communities with populations more likely to contract the disease.

“We have a very large population of individuals who are particularly vulnerable,” Middleton said.

City officials said they want to ensure the threat of Monkeypox is mitigated in local communities.

At this time, supplies of the Monkeypox vaccine are distributed in California on a population-based formula and are extremely limited.

“It is imperative that the CDC and the CDPC work quickly to make these and any other necessary adjustments to better meet the demand for vaccines and ensure the threat of Monkeypox is mitigated in our communities,” said Middleton.

“Our number one priority is ensuring the health and safety of our residents and visitors,” said Middleton. “We will do whatever we can to partner with scientists and healthcare professionals to ensure Palm Springs has the best data available to help keep our community safe.”

In Middleton's letter, she adds that despite a smaller population size, people travel to the city and one of the unique reasons is sex.

“Have a number of individuals who come to our community to enjoy themselves, and from time to time, to enjoy their sexuality while they're here. And the issues that are Monkeypox creates is a disease that is extremely contagious,” Middleton explained.

The letter reveals that he Coachella Valley has 11 sex clubs, nearly triple the number in Los Angeles and six times the amount in San Diego. The valley's 11 sex clubs have 32 sex events scheduled this summer.

Check Out: Some local gay resorts close parts of facilities in response to Monkeypox

According to Middleton, the average sex event sees 400 people. The region’s largest sex club sees 5000 guests a month.

Officials said the city is working with GT Molecular to develop a process for testing Palm Springs wastewater for Monkeypox infections similar to the COVID-19 testing program currently underway.

As of Monday, 13 probable or confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Eastern Riverside County. The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Riverside County rose to three, while probable cases rose to 10, under updated numbers released on Monday.

All the patients are Males living in Eastern Riverside County. News Channel 3 spoke exclusively with the man who was the first locally confirmed patient. He shared his story to help others at risk.

More Details: I-Team Exclusive: Riverside County’s first confirmed Monkeypox patient speaks out

Vaccine distribution plans

Arballo told City News Service that county health officials have distributed 116 doses of monkeypox vaccines to DAP Health, Eisenhower Health, Borrego Health, and RUHS' HIV clinic in the Coachella Valley from the county's limited supply.

He added that the county had a little more than 1,000 doses of the two-dose-regimen JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine, enough for about 500 people, before they were distributed into the Coachella Valley.

A portion of Riverside County's supply of the JYNNEOS vaccines will be maintained by Public Health in case a large-scale exposure event occurs, according to a statement from RUHS.

Last week, a DAP health director told News Channel 3 reporter Jake Ingrassia that the clinic received 80 of those vaccines, despite having a list of 700 patients eligible.

"By the end of Tuesday, all vaccines will be distributed and administered. Upon which we'll be sending another email...saying, 'Hey, give us more vaccines,'" said CJ Tobe, DAP Health's director of community health and sexual wellness.

More: Eisenhower Health, Riverside County secure Monkeypox vaccine allotment from CA

‘Hotspot waiting to happen’: Concern grows over Monkeypox vaccine availability in Palm Springs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health advise that the vaccine be prioritized for high-risk and exposed patients.

When people in Riverside County right now try to find a vaccine or a test for Monkeypox, some are saying the process is confusing and stressful.

Vaccines are just starting to be administered locally and there are hundreds, if not more, already waiting for their protection.

David Wichman is a Cathedral City sex worker and massage therapist. With concern growing among the gay community about Monkeypox, he said his business has dried up.

Video: Some local gay resorts close parts of facilities in response to Monkeypox

"We're a hotspot waiting to happen. That's what it feels like to me," he said. "That rollout has been really slow and very aggravating."

Rep. Ruiz: Palm Springs at ‘extremely high risk for monkeypox contraction’

Rep. Raul Ruiz is asking the state of California to allocate additional doses of monkeypox vaccines to the Coachella Valley, citing high-risk factors and claiming that "California’s vaccine distribution strategy continues to overlook the Palm Springs area."

 As of Friday, a total of 356 monkeypox cases were confirmed in California -- the second-highest of any state, behind New York's 900 -- while nationwide, the aggregate count was at 2,891, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Resources

There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including:

• Always talking to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and being aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus
• Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• People who become infected should isolate until their symptoms are improving or have gone away completely. Rash should always be well covered until completely healed.
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown, and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms
• Avoiding contact with infected materials contaminated with the virus
• Avoiding contact with infected animals

Monkeypox is generally spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, resulting from infectious rashes and scabs, though respiratory secretions and bodily fluids exchanged during extended physical episodes, such as sexual intercourse, can also lead to transmission, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Symptoms include fresh pimples, blisters, rashes, fever and fatigue. There is no specific treatment. People who have been infected with smallpox, or have been vaccinated for it, may have immunity to monkeypox.

People with symptoms are urged to visit a medical provider, cover the rash area with clothing, wear a mask and avoid close or skin-to-skin contact with others.

The CDC particularly recommends those steps for people who recently traveled to an area where monkeypox cases have been reported or who have had contact with a confirmed or suspected monkeypox case.

A full list of countries that have confirmed monkeypox cases is available at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/monkeypox.
A state-by-state tally of cases is available at www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html.

Link: CDC’s tips for preventing exposure to Monkeypox. 

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage.