Here’s where you can get a vaccine or test for meningitis or monkeypox
Monkeypox. Dengue. Rabies. July has been filled with diseases, viruses and infections.
Fortunately, most are not typically fatal. But Florida has had an outbreak of meningococcal disease, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called “one of the worst outbreaks of meningococcal disease among gay and bisexual men in U.S. history.”
Statewide, there have been 48 cases through mid-July. In recent years, Florida has had 17 to 27 cases for an entire year. Of the 48 cases, 12 people have died, or 25 percent, said Dr. Ulyee Choe, the Florida health department’s medical director, at a press conference Wednesday.
While the outbreak has primarily impacted gay and bisexual men, anyone can get the disease, usually through close contact such as kissing, sex, or sharing foods and drinks. Immunocompromised people, especially those with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, are at a higher risk.
READ MORE: ‘Florida is in midst of meningococcal outbreak.’ What to know now about meningitis
Dr. José R. Romero, the CDC’s director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, has said getting the meningitis vaccine is crucial to preventing an illness that can quickly kill.
There are two types of vaccines. All 11 to 12 year olds should get the MenACWY vaccine, with a booster dose at 16, the CDC says. People 10 and over at increased risk for meningococcal disease should get the MenB vaccination, the CDC says.
The CDC is recommending gay and bisexual men in Florida get the MenACWY vaccine, as it’s proven to be more effectiver for the type of meningococcal disease circulating in the state.
Florida also has seen a surge in monkeypox cases, which, too, is impacting gay and bisexual men. As of July 21, Florida had 247 cases; the first presumed case was reported in late May. Broward and Miami-Dade counties are the epicenter.
READ MORE: As monkeypox spreads in South Florida, experts have advice on prevention, risk, vaccines
With both monkeypox and meningitis cases surging, here’s where you can get tested and vaccinated in Miami-Dade and Broward:
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Monkeypox vaccines, testing in Miami-Dade
▪ Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade offers the JYNNEOS vaccine, which requires two doses, the second dose 28 days later. However, the vaccine is only being offered to high-risk groups, including lab and healthcare personnel, and those who’ve been in close contact to people with monkeypox, immunocomprised men with HIV and gay men with a recent history of STDs. You can book an appointment online to get a free vaccination at the Health District Center at 1350 NW 14th St., Miami.
▪ Jessie Trice, a community health center, is not offering vaccines yet, but PCR testing is available. Testing is done at its south site at 5361 NW 22nd Ave., Miami, Mondays from 9-1 ( or on Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday), and its north site at 4692 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-4.
Monkeypox vaccines, testing in Broward
▪ Florida Department of Health in Broward also offers JYNNEOS, but only for individuals who are likely to have been exposed to the virus. You can book an appointment online to get a free vaccination at SunServe, 2312 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, or The Poverello Center, 2056 North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors.
▪ Cleveland Clinic Florida, 1825 N. Corporate Lakes Blvd. in Weston, doesn’t offer vaccines yet, but is offering PCR testing. Cost is based on insurance, and anyone who comes for a visit to the clinic who may have monkeypox can get tested. You can schedule an appointment on their website or call them at 866-320-4573.
▪ The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors, is also offering JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccines. You can book an appointment at its website.
▪ Latinos Salud, 1401 NE 26th St. in Wilton Manors, also offers JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccines with a wait time of about 45 minutes. You can schedule an appointment online.
Meningitis vaccines in Miami-Dade
▪ Latinos Salud offers meningitis vaccines at its Miami Beach location, 925 Arthur Godfrey Road, Suite 200; Wilton Manors location, 1401 NE 26th St.; and Southwest Miami-Dade location, 2760 SW 97th Ave., Suite 103. You can schedule a vaccine through the online portal.
FIU Health offers vaccines at 800 SW 108th Ave., Suite 100. To register for an appointment call 305-348-3627. A consultation with an FIU doctor will follow before scheduling the vaccine.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade also offers meningococcal disease vaccines, costing around $130. You can schedule an appointment at 786-845-0550 at the Health District location, 1350 NW 14th St.; Little Haiti location, 300 NE 80th Terrace; and West Perrine location, 18255 Homestead Ave.
Meningitis vaccines and testing in Broward
▪ Latinos Salud offers meningitis vaccines at its Wilton Manors clinic, 1401 NE 26th St. You can book through their website.
▪ Cleveland Clinic provides both vaccines and testing for meningococcal disease at its Weston center, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd. You can schedule an appointment on their website, with costs depending on your insurance.
▪ The Florida Health Department in Broward, also offers vaccines at its clinics and through community outreach. You can find more information on their website and schedule an appointment at one of its clinics at 954-467-4705.
Many pharmacies and supermarkets like Walgreens, Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más aren’t offering the monkeypox vaccine, in some cases due to limited availability of the vaccine.
“We continue to partner with the CDC and HHS and are committed to providing the vaccine to our communities in the future if made available through the federal retail pharmacy program,” said Meredith Hurley, director of public relations and community for Southeastern Grocers in an email to the Herald. The Jacksonville-based company owns Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más.
In many cases, you can call your primary healthcare provider for other vaccination and testing sites, with costs depending on insurance. Many healthcare providers are looking to start vaccinations — Jessie Trice is working on getting vaccines for monkeypox, while Baptist Health South Florida is ordering testing for patients “as appropriate” for monkeypox and meningococcal disease.
Do you know of another South Florida location that is offering vaccines or tests for monkeypox and meningitis? Email the information to egregg@miamiherald.com
