In spite of the torrential downpour here in Sydney, I decided to take a walk down the street.
But this is significant.
After weeks of waiting, I’ve managed to book in for a monkeypox vaccine, so this isn’t an appointment I’m wanting to miss on account of a bit of rain.
I check in at the front desk and provide some basic information. Moments later, Cassie, the nurse who will administer my first immunisation, and I are seated together chatting.
She says that the JYNNEOS vaccination employs a weakened live vaccinia virus that cannot cause the disease to prevent exposure to the smallpox and monkeypox viruses.
After the events of the past two years, it is administered in a little different manner than we are accustomed to.
In my left forearm, the vaccine has been placed just below the skin’s surface. I’ve been advised that it will leave a tiny red lump there for one to two weeks.
Since the monkeypox virus first gained prominence, the LGBT community has been clamouring for access to a monkeypox vaccination.
Although the illness itself is unlikely to result in death, those who get it are advised to remain isolated for 21 days.
Getting a couple of injections seems like a small price to pay, especially after we’ve all spent so long stuck indoors these past few years.
I consider how fortunate I am to be able to receive a vaccination while many of my friends back in Aotearoa are still unsure of when they will be able to do so while I wait for the next fifteen minutes.
As far as I can tell, there are open appointments in Australia. Most of the people I’ve talked to have already received two doses.
Health authorities here are cautiously optimistic they’ve got this outbreak circled, because of the vaccination push and prominent messaging around the risks.
In New Zealand, the situation is very different because the immunizations are still months away.
Initial orders weren’t anticipated until December, according to Pharmac’s August statement to 1News, pending the completion of a deal with the vaccine provider. Te Whatu Ora and the organisation are also negotiating for “at least” 20,000 dosages.
Yes, I get it, we’re well and truly fed up with the virus stories.
We’ve had enough shots, whether it’s the most recent information on the new Covid-19 variations or the discussion of a third and fourth vaccine.
But for the LGBTQ+ community in particular, this is incredibly crucial.
You may have seen the news reports about the monkeypox outbreak in New Zealand, where a steadily rising number of instances of community transmission are being found.
The long and short of it is, the virus has entered the community, and is starting to be passed on from person to person.
Currently, males who have intercourse with other men have a higher risk. Simply said, since they are the community that the virus is actively spreading through, they have been the focus of a lot of the messages.
Although the spread of monkeypox isn’t anticipated to be as deadly as Covid-19, many people are nonetheless very concerned about it.
Those who are the most likely to be at risk of being infected deserve greater clarity on when they’ll be able to get some protection..
Opinion: Where are the monkeypox vaccines for New Zealand?
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