Vaccine supply runs dry as WHO declares monkeypox ‘public health emergency’

The World Health Organization Saturday declared monkeypox a “public health emergency with international concern.” The virus has now spread to at least 75 countries.

Unfortunately, eligible vaccines are in limited supply as cases continue to rise. The City’s Department of Public Health Monday reported an additional 18 cases, bringing the total to 215 — there were just 16 cases less than a month ago. The count includes probable cases and cases confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Just to show how unstable the supply of vaccines is, DPH tweeted Monday afternoon that the clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital will not be open Tuesday due to the lack of vaccine availability, adding they are not sure when more supplies will arrive.

As requested by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, the Board of Supervisors Government Audit and Oversight Committee held a hearing Thursday to discuss The City’s outbreak response, including outreach and vaccine distribution.  

Public health officials said at the meeting that first doses are being prioritized for high-risk residents. The health department issued a media release Friday with a similar message.

Mandelman questioned Dr. ​​Stephanie Cohen, DPH City Clinic medical director, about whether individuals would be able to get a second dose as scheduled.

Cohen said second doses will be administered, but most likely not on the appointment date given to them due to the limited supply of vaccines, adding:

“We do intend that everyone will receive a second dose, but the guidance right now from the state is to prioritize first doses to ensure that we get as many people a first dose as possible.”

The City has been administering the two-dose Jynneos vaccine, with a second dose required within 28 days of the first, according to the CDC. Jynneos and ACAM2000 are the two vaccines approved for monkeypox prevention and treatment, though the latter presents more risk, especially for people serious immune system problems.  

While federal response to the monkeypox virus has been lacking, supervisors said DPH also needs to improve outreach and education, and that they need to return phone calls from people with questions about the virus and vaccine.

Cohen agreed the department needs to “fix” the communication aspect, adding that the hospital clinic had received about 600 voicemails from concerned residents.

In the last few weeks, long lines could be seen at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital’s clinic. Some people wait hours only to be turned away when vaccine supply runs dry.

Mandelman said:

“Having people waiting in line for hours and hours and not giving them a real appointment option are pretty unforgivable and I think DPH needs to fix it.”

Cohen acknowledged feedback on the long waits, and said there are “active efforts” to better communicate real-time, accurate information to the public.

Tweets sent out by DPH on Thursday and Friday said that every walk-in patient received a vaccine, indicating some improvement for those who choose to wait in line. DPH said a total of 1,100 people were vaccinated over those two days.

Supervisor Connie Chan wanted DPH to be mindful for individuals where English may not be their first language as well individuals who may not be accessing information on a computer.

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is also playing a critical role by administering vaccines at its Magnet clinic. There, people are being asked to add their names to a waitlist, which does not guarantee vaccine access. CEO Tyler TerMeer told the board that the clinic had vaccinated a total of 761 people as of Wednesday — more than 5,000 people remained on the waitlist.

TerMeer said:

“Monkeypox is a crisis in our community and that while we have other crises occurring, we need to pause our efforts and try and beat the curb of new spread in our community.”

More information about monkeypox can be found at www.sf.gov/monkeypox.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.