Pacific Pride Foundation holds a free monkeypox vaccine clinic in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Pacific Pride Foundation partnered with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, and other local health leaders to offer locals free monkeypox vaccines on Aug 25 in Santa Maria.

“I think it’s very important for all communities to have this opportunity. We can protect ourselves through information and understanding how the disease spreads and how to limit the spread, and then also the vaccine as a major tool in helping to slow the spread and protect the community", said Pacific Pride Foundation Executive Director, Kristin Flickinger.

The free clinic will be held at the Santa Maria Valley Youth & Family Center at 5 pm.

Those eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine must be at least 18 years of age with a valid ID.

“There’s a new way of offering the vaccine, which is just under the skin, which is the way that some other vaccines have been given. And it allows us to extend the number of doses that we can give while still keeping it very, very effective", said Flickinger.

Santa Barbara County has seen 6 cases so far and organizers say they want to inform the community and prevent more monkeypox cases.

“I hope that the community gets protection and also gets some information. I would say also understands that there are organizations in the community as well as the public health department that are really committed to making sure that people are protected and have the tools that they need to protect themselves", said Flickinger.

The free clinic will be held until 8 pm or until doses run out and will have Spanish translators.

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