Monash Health’s South East Public Health Unit have been working with health partners in the south east of Melbourne to deliver free vaccinations to people at high-risk of contracting MPOX (Monkey Pox) for the past three months.
Since May 2022, there has been a multi-country outbreak of MPOX, which has continued to spread in many countries. In Victoria, the risk of local transmission linked to international travel remains.
Vaccination was made available free-of-charge for eligible people through Local Public Health Units and certain sexual health clinics and health services in Victoria.
South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU) have been working with local health partners deliver free vaccinations to people at high-risk of contracting MPOX. With the support of local communities and the Monash Gender Clinic colleagues at the Pride Centre, SEPHU have been able to administer nearly 2000 vaccinations over the past three months.
A Mobile Pop-Up MPOX vaccination service was set up at The Victorian Pride centre, Monash University, Access Health in St Kilda and the Glen Eira Council clinic.
SEPHUs vaccination and engagement teams have worked closely with the LGBTQI community promoting the vaccine and positive health messaging, recently involved in the Pride and Midsumma festivals in Melbourne. These festivals also saw large numbers of interstate and overseas visitors coming to Melbourne; which made for a perfect opportunity to engage with broader communities around the vaccine and health promotion.
A big thanks to everyone who has supported this tremendous effort.