California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) speaks to reporters after a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at the U.S. Congress, on Friday, July 15, 2022.
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
California has declared a state of emergency over the fast-spreading monkeypox outbreak, the third US state to do so in the next few days.
Governor Gavin Newsom said the emergency declaration would help support the state’s immunization efforts. Demand for vaccines has outstripped supply as infections increase. Staff at sexual health clinics and other locations have struggled to keep up with the influx of people seeking the shots.
California is mobilizing staff from its Emergency Medical Services to help administer the monkeypox vaccine.
“California is working urgently at all levels of government to slow the spread of monkeypox, leveraging our robust testing, contact tracing, and strengthened community partnerships. During the pandemic to ensure that those most at risk are our focus for vaccine, treatment and access,” Newsom said.
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