(Santa Ana, CA) - To elevate awareness and help prevent a resurgence of MPOX in Orange County, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is sponsoring the Health and Wellness Zone (Zone) at the OC PRIDE Festival on Saturday, June 24, in downtown Santa Ana. The Zone is a new feature for the festival and the HCA’s Public Health Services (PHS) will offer no-cost MPOX vaccinations. In addition, the HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHRS) will provide information on connecting via the OC Navigator to the variety of resources that are available to OC’s LGBTQ+ residents.
“The HCA is taking an active role in promoting public and mental health with our commitment to making MPOX vaccinations available during the festival,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and Chief of PHS. “It’s important for everyone who wants the MPOX vaccine to understand this is a 2-dose regimen, so make sure you complete the process for the best protection. The second dose should be taken 4 weeks after the first dose,” she said.
The HCA’s MPOX vaccination booth will be located at the festival in the Health and Wellness Zone. Walk-ups are welcome or MPOX appointments can be scheduled at any time by visiting https://myturn.ca.gov/. To best serve festival goers, the HCA is partnering with Viet Rainbow OC, APAIT, Radiant Health, The LGBTQ Center OC and Shanti OC which will have booths in the Health and Wellness Zone.
HCA’s Chief of Public Health Services and Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services will be speaking on stage and will be joined by Univision TV and radio personality Luis Sandoval, the HCA’s partner and ambassador to the Spanish speaking community on the importance of MPOX vaccinations.
The HCA will also have a photo booth which will offer opportunities for OC’s LGBTQ+ population to take part in future educational campaigns. For more information visit the HCA’s Health and Wellness booth at the festival.
Press Release in Chinese
Press Release in Korean
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Press Release in Vietnamese
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