Austin Public Health gives free mpox vaccine in southeast Austin [Video]

AUSTIN, Texas — After the World Health Organization declared mpox a global emergency, Austin Public Health is trying to get ahead of any potential local outbreak.

APH hosted a free mpox vaccine clinic Saturday at Montopolis Recreation and Community Center in southeast Austin.

“We know it’s spreading elsewhere, so we want to be prepared here,” said Eleanor Allain, Emergency Plans Officer at Austin Public Health.

Allain said APH had already surpassed its goal of administering 30 vaccines one hour into the three-hour event.

Allain says APH has seen a few cases of APH locally, with numbers slowly trending upwards.

“For folks who are at high risk and the rest of the population, just looking out for any skin rashes, skin legions,” said Allain. “If you have any concerns, you should reach out to your primary care provider.”

“Anyone who has been exposed to mpox in …