FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2023

Contact:

Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer

Florida Department of Health – Monroe County

305-434-5413

Jennifer.Lefelar@flhealth.gov

(Monroe County, Fla.) — The Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) will provide free MPOX vaccines along with free HIV rapid testing at the Pride Street Fair on Duval Street, Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Prevention resources and other giveaways will be available.

The HIV Prevention and Awareness table, sponsored by DOH-Monroe, AH Monroe and the Guidance Care Center, will be in front of Bourbon Street Pub.

The following items will be available: 

• Free MPOX vaccines
• Free HIV rapid testing
• HIV educational materials
• Information on Ryan White resources available in Monroe County
• Free condoms
• Free home test kits

A downloadable event flyer can be found on the DOH-Monroe web site with the following link: 

https://monroe.floridahealth.gov/_files/PIO/_documents/2023_Pride_Street_Fair_Event_Flyer.pdf

Monkeypox is a rare disease with symptoms that are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox.

However, monkeypox can cause death. Monkeypox is an emerging infection in Africa and outbreaks of imported cases of monkeypox sometimes happen in other countries, including the United States.

Smallpox/monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS™) can help protect against smallpox, monkeypox, and other diseases caused by Orth poxviruses, including vaccinia virus.

HIV is a retrovirus that occurs as two types: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both types are transmitted through direct contact with HIV-infected body fluids.  HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of the HIV infection.  HIV rapid tests are a type of HIV antibody test used to screen for HIV infection. A rapid HIV antibody test can detect HIV antibodies in blood or oral fluid in less than 30 minutes.  Visit www.testflkeys.org for more information. 

###

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov. 

About AH of Monroe County, Inc.

The mission of AH is HIV/AIDS counseling, testing and linkage to care.  The object, general purpose and nature of AH is to establish and maintain in Monroe County, Florida, a corporation that will provide case managed healthcare, food programs, counseling, housing, clinical, and other supportive and volunteer services; increase affordable housing by acquiring, developing, and maintaining low-income housing for persons in need; and conduct health education and linkage to care.  For more information about AH of Monroe County, Inc visit www.ahmonroe.org.

About Guidance Care Center, Inc.

Guidance/Care Center, Inc. (GCC) provides behavioral health services, education, and support to benefit people from all incomes and walks of life:  adults, children, and families, persons experiencing issues with mental health and/or substance abuse problems, persons in crisis, adults with serious and persistent mental illness, mothers and fathers working to be better parents, children, and youth with a behavior problem.

GCC works collaboratively with other agencies, schools, private providers, law enforcement, hospitals, and other behavioral health providers to support and enhance the benefits to our clients, consumers and other stake holders. Services available to women and pregnant women receive preference. GCC serves all clients regardless of inability to pay. Discounts for essential services are offered based on family size and income. For more information about GCC please visit http://www.guidancecarecenter.org.