Gay venue Perth Steam Works is offering free mpox vaccinations in an effort to stop any potential local outbreak.
Mike Drummond, the owner, thinks the service is essential.
“It offers us the opportunity to speak to people who are most at risk and offer them the service,” said Mr. Drummond.
A physician administers the vaccination on the Perth Steam Works premises once a week.
During the 2022 mpox outbreak, Perth Steam Works implemented the same program and distributed over 1,000 vaccines.
Privacy concerns prevented some people from receiving the jab, according to Mr. Drummond.
However, he stated that users may opt to stay anonymous and that the service was totally free.
Mr. Drummond adds, “Making sure that privacy is not a barrier to offering medical services [is important]. It’s your choice whether you want it to go on your My Health Record. A lot of people who frequent venues such as these are not necessarily comfortable talking to their family doctor about issues like this. We provide a safe, easy, and convenient access method.”
Fergus McCabe, medical director of the West Australian AIDS Council’s M Clinic, reported that vaccination uptake in Western Australia had been excellent.
He said that the program at Perth Steam Works was partly responsible for that achievement.
“If we come here and offer them the vaccines, we’re going to pick up the people who don’t come to us [doctors] or won’t come to us,” said Dr. McCabe.
According to Dr. McCabe, WA records two to three active cases per week, and he thought the state could control the spread.
He claimed that in 2022, the Perth Steam Works clinic was essential to controlling the spread.
You must administer two doses of the mpox vaccination 28 days apart.
According to Dr. McCabe, the Steam Works clinic also provided prescriptions for drugs that fight off other STIs.
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