Free mpox vaccines available at Kentucky Black Pride Festival this weekend
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2023) — UK HealthCare providers will be at the Kentucky Black Pride Festival on Sept. 16 offering free mpox vaccines. The festival is at Woodland Park in Lexington and vaccines will take place from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is spread via close prolonged contact with body fluids and/or lesion materials. It can be spread via the respiratory route, mucosal route or through broken skin. The virus starts with chills, fever, aches and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash that eventually blisters.
Vaccines are available and recommended for people who have been exposed to mpox, and those who are at a high risk of being exposed. Individuals that are already presenting with symptoms like an unexplained rash should visit a health care provider to get tested and determine if they are eligible to receive a vaccine.
More information about mpox is available at the Team Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services website. Appointments are not needed to receive your vaccine at the Kentucky Black Pride Festival.
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