LOS ANGELES—Uber is partnering with a statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization to provide free rides to monkeypox vaccination sites throughout California, officials announced Sept. 20.
“As vaccines are becoming increasingly available across our state, it’s critical to ensure transportation is not neglected,” said Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California. “We are immensely grateful for our long-standing partnership with Uber and their commitment to full lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people.”
The offer is good for round-trip rides up to $30 each way.
“Transportation should never be a barrier to getting vaccinated against the monkeypox virus,” said Ramona Prieto, Uber’s head of public policy and communications for the western United States. “Uber has been a proud partner of Equality California since 2018 and is thankful for its leadership on this campaign to ensure equitable vaccine access for all communities.”
While people of any sexual orientation can get monkeypox, it is primarily impacting gay and bisexual men, particularly in Black and Hispanic communities.
As of Tuesday, there were 2,015 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Los Angeles County, and one confirmed death.
- Gay or bisexual men, any men or transgender people who have sex with men or transgender people.
- People of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex.
- People living with HIV, especially those with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease.
- People who have had skin-to-skin or intimate contact with someone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
- People who were confirmed by the Department of Public Health to have had high-or immediate-risk contact with a known monkeypox patient.
- People who attended an event or visited a venue where there was a high risk of exposure to a confirmed case.
It can also be transmitted through the sharing of contaminated items such as bedding and towels.
Symptoms include fresh pimples, blisters, rashes, fever, and fatigue. There is no specific treatment. People who have been infected with smallpox, or have been vaccinated for it, may have immunity to monkeypox.
According to health officials, the vaccine can prevent infection if given before or shortly after exposure to the virus.