Transcript - Press Conference: White House Monkeypox Response Team Holds a Briefing - August 30, 2022 | Factba.se

Bob Fenton

00:00:00 - 00:00:09 ()

Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us. I'm Bob Fenton, the White House Monkeypox Response Coordinator.

Bob Fenton

00:00:09 - 00:00:37 ()

Today, Secretary Becerra, Deputy Coordinator Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Assistant Secretary O'Connell, and I will provide an update on the administration's effort to distribute vaccines quickly to places that need them; to help states, localities, and providers get shots in arms; and to partner with jurisdictions and LGBTQ+ leaders on the ground to meet impacted communities where they are with vaccinations and information.

Bob Fenton

00:00:37 - 00:00:44 ()

We also have Dr. Jenny McQuiston from CDC's Monkeypox Incident Response Team on for questions.

Bob Fenton

00:00:44 - 00:00:59 ()

We're also honored to be joined today by Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana to discuss our work together to surge vaccines and other prevention resources to Louisiana ahead of Southern Decadence in New Orleans this upcoming holiday weekend.

Bob Fenton

00:00:59 - 00:01:10 ()

Before I turn over to Governor Edwards, let me just take a few key points that make my colleagues -- and let me drill down on those.

Bob Fenton

00:01:10 - 00:01:46 ()

First on vaccine supply and distribution. As I said on Friday, we have dramatically accelerated distribution of vaccine supply over the past several weeks through a strategy that continues to advance equity and ensures vaccines are getting to where they need -- they are needed. And to be very clear, as a result of our efforts, we have enough supply going out into the field to be in a strong position to get two doses of vaccine to everyone in the at-risk community -- namely gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men -- through intradermal administration.

Bob Fenton

00:01:46 - 00:02:21 ()

Second, on vaccinations, we continue to be laser-focused on doing everything within our power to help jurisdictions and clinicians get shots in arms. We're seeing more and more jurisdictions adopt the intradermal administration. As I said Friday, approximately 75 percent of jurisdictions have already adopted this safe and effective approach, and an additional 20 percent are working toward fully operational intradermal method. In all, that means more shots in arms, more protection from monkeypox, and a faster effective way for us to end this outbreak.

Bob Fenton

00:02:21 - 00:02:39 ()

As of today, 14 jurisdictions have attested to having used more than 85 percent of their vials. With all of this progress, it's important to acknowledge that there's more work we must do together with our partners on the ground to get shots in arms in the highest-risk communities.

Bob Fenton

00:02:39 - 00:03:01 ()

Equity is a key pillar in our response, and we recognize the need to put extra resources into the field to make sure we are reaching communities most impacted by the outbreak. This requires hyper-localized and hyper-tailored efforts and a strong partnership with local leaders to understand how we can best reach those communities.

Bob Fenton

00:03:01 - 00:03:34 ()

Already, we've made allocations of vaccines to the Ryan White clinics, which are trusted sources of care for about a half million individuals living with HIV -- about half of the people diagnosed with HIV in the United States. And that's why we're working closely with state and local leaders, like Governor Edwards, to get vaccines and information to large events that bring together large groups of LGBTQ+ individuals -- from Southern Decadence in New Orleans, to Black Pride in Atlanta, to Oakland Pride in California.

Bob Fenton

00:03:34 - 00:03:48 ()

And as Dr. Daskalakis will discuss in detail, that's why we're launching a new equity intervention pilot program that aims to directly reach queer communities of color that may face barriers in accessing vaccines currently.

Bob Fenton

00:03:48 - 00:04:19 ()

Through this new pilot program, we'll provide vaccines to health departments, specifically for smaller-scale, community-based vaccination efforts that leverage the deep relationships that organizations already have on the ground in these communities, because we know every shot matters and we're not going to stop until we can reach at -- the highest-risk of con- -- contracting monkeypox with the information and vaccines they need to protect themselves.

Bob Fenton

00:04:19 - 00:04:38 ()

With that, let me turn it over to Governor Edwards to talk more about vaccination and prevention plans around Southern Decadence this weekend. Governor Edwards and his team have been strong partners in the fight to end this outbreak, and we've been working closely with them to prepare for this weekend's events.

Bob Fenton

00:04:38 - 00:04:40 ()

Governor Edwards, over to you.

John Bel Edwards

00:04:40 - 00:04:55 ()

Thank you, Bob. I appreciate it. And -- and you're exactly right. Several weeks ago, I called you to make sure that this event was on your radar; it already was. And, in fact, you had already started communications with folks here in Louisiana.

John Bel Edwards

00:04:55 - 00:05:15 ()

And so, I want to thank Dr. Walensky, because she's personally made calls into Louisiana and talked to some of our healthcare professionals, but also Dr. Daskalakis as well, who is no stranger to New Orleans. And he's been helping us here for -- for quite some time. And, of course, I want to thank Secretary Becerra too.

John Bel Edwards

00:05:15 - 00:05:30 ()

This is an example -- I think a really solid example -- of what a federal-state-local partnership and -- and then the community providers as well. Because the -- the public health folks in New Orleans have been tremendous, but also the community providers.

John Bel Edwards

00:05:30 - 00:05:52 ()

And it has manifested itself in several, I think, significant ways. So, for example, you all have sent down multidisciplinary teams to New Orleans to help us to organize and to prepare; to better communicate and do outreach and set up testing and vaccination sites in the community that are going to be convenient for the at-risk population.

John Bel Edwards

00:05:52 - 00:06:06 ()

At our request, you sent down additional doses so that we could administer more vaccines, both to residents and to visitors around Southern Decadence festival -- 6,000 doses. We thank you so much.

John Bel Edwards

00:06:06 - 00:06:18 ()

And with respect to testing, you all are going to pilot a mobile testing facility here around the Southern Decadence festival too. So we really appreciate that.

John Bel Edwards

00:06:18 - 00:06:41 ()

I did want to make sure you know that all of the providers that we're partnering with in Louisiana, they have moved to the intradermal method of vaccinations. And so now, rather than one dose per vial, we're averaging about four and a half doses per vial, and that really helps us an awful lot as we try to administer these vaccinations as widely as possible. And so, we're having good luck there.

John Bel Edwards

00:06:41 - 00:07:08 ()

And just for those people who may not be familiar with the Southern Decadence festival, we haven't conducted it since 2019, because it wasn't done during the first two years of the COVID pandemic. But this festival can attract up to 300,000 individuals not just from Louisiana or not even from the South, but from around the country. And we are expecting tens of thousands of people in New Orleans over this Labor Day weekend.

John Bel Edwards

00:07:08 - 00:07:18 ()

And so, being able to prepare for that and to get a head start on the vaccinations, on the testing, on the communications -- all extremely important.

John Bel Edwards

00:07:18 - 00:07:34 ()

And I will tell you, my public health officials here at the State of Louisiana have told me as recently as today that the working relationship that they've enjoyed with our federal partners around this particular effort is probably as good as they've ever seen.

John Bel Edwards

00:07:34 - 00:07:45 ()

We -- there's no doubt we will learn lessons over the weekend that we can then share with other folks around the country and help them to do an even better job of preparing for similar events.

John Bel Edwards

00:07:45 - 00:08:01 ()

But I want to, on behalf of the State of Louisiana, thank all of our federal partners, but also our partners in New Orleans and our community providers as well. And we look forward to having as safe an event as we could possibly have over the weekend.

John Bel Edwards

00:08:01 - 00:08:02 ()

So, thank you very much, Bob.

Bob Fenton

00:08:02 - 00:08:09 ()

Thank you, Governor. We're going to go over to Secretary Becerra to speak next. Thank you.

Xavier Becerra

00:08:09 - 00:08:19 ()

Bob, thank you very much. And Governor Edwards, to you, thank you for joining us. Thanks for your partnership and all the work that you're doing to help the folks in Louisiana.

Xavier Becerra

00:08:19 - 00:08:40 ()

I'm going to start the way I've always started: It is important that we all take monkeypox seriously and that we do everything we can to keep this virus from spreading so we can end this outbreak. This means communicating and sharing information, getting vaccines to people most at risk, and ensuring those who are infected have access to treatment.

Xavier Becerra

00:08:40 - 00:09:01 ()

One of the things we've learned from our response to COVID-19 is that it's important to reach people where they are. It's not enough to wait for people to show up at a doctor's office or a county health department to schedule a vaccination appointment. We need to set up vaccination clinics where people are, and when we do that, there are better health outcomes for all of us.

Xavier Becerra

00:09:01 - 00:09:14 ()

Our focus every day is making sure that those most at risk for monkeypox have the information and resources they need -- vaccines, tests, treatment -- to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Xavier Becerra

00:09:14 - 00:09:39 ()

As Bob mentioned, our latest effort involves working with state and local governments across the country to set up vaccination clinics at key upcoming festivals. This is work that started a few weeks back when we allocated additional supplies of JYNNEOS vials to the Pride festival in Charlotte, North Carolina. At that festival, local public health officials were able to vaccinate 540 people.

Xavier Becerra

00:09:39 - 00:09:56 ()

Today, I am happy to announce that we will be allocating an additional supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine vials to the Southern Decadence festival in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Black Pride festival in Atlanta, Georgia, which will allow up to 5,000 vaccinations at each event.

Xavier Becerra

00:09:56 - 00:10:12 ()

We'll also be allocating an additional supply of JYNNEOS vials to two festivals in Oakland, California: the Pride festival, which is also this weekend, and PrideFest on September 11th. This allocation will allow up to 2,400 additional vaccinations.

Xavier Becerra

00:10:12 - 00:10:22 ()

And we're not stopping there. I'm happy to report that we're working with additional jurisdictions to ensure that we're able to set up vaccination clinics at other key festivals.

Xavier Becerra

00:10:22 - 00:10:28 ()

Since the beginning of this outbreak, we have worked to ensure monkeypox vaccines, tests, and treatments are available.

Xavier Becerra

00:10:28 - 00:10:38 ()

We began providing vaccines to states and jurisdictions for free within two days of the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the U.S. back in May.

Xavier Becerra

00:10:38 - 00:10:54 ()

In addition, we increased testing capacity from 6,000 specimens per week to up to 80,000 specimens per week. And we made 50,000 patient courses of TPOXX available to jurisdictions. That's the treatment that people can use if they do have monkeypox.

Xavier Becerra

00:10:54 - 00:11:08 ()

Last week, we launched the fourth phase of the national vaccine strategy. So far, we've made over one million vials of vaccine available to jurisdictions, which is nearly enough to reach the entire population that's most at risk.

Xavier Becerra

00:11:08 - 00:11:24 ()

And finally, we've worked with Bavarian Nordic and Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing in Michigan to establish a second fill-and-finish line for the JYNNEOS vaccines in the U.S. Once the facility is up and running, it will double our capacity to make more JYNNEOS vaccines.

Xavier Becerra

00:11:24 - 00:11:35 ()

We'll continue to do all we can to stop this virus from spreading. As I've said, we all have a role to play, and working together will lead to our collective success.

Xavier Becerra

00:11:35 - 00:11:45 ()

So, thank you for everything you're doing. And now let me turn it over to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the Deputy Coordinator for the White House National Monkeypox Response.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:11:45 - 00:12:04 ()

Thank you, Secretary Becerra. As you outlined, with greater supply of vaccine, our goal is to be even more intentional and targeted in how we work with states and cities to reach people who could benefit from vaccination and the core educational messages that round out the full package of a monkeypox prevention toolkit.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:12:04 - 00:12:17 ()

Given the progress we have made toward making the tools available to end this outbreak, our vaccine strategy is to meet people where they seek services, care, or community, especially in communities of color.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:12:17 - 00:12:23 ()

We know that Prides and other large LGBTQI+-focused events can do just that.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:12:23 - 00:12:33 ()

Our pilot to provide special vaccine supply and educational resources at these large events started with Charlotte Pride, like you said, in North Carolina with great success.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:12:33 - 00:12:42 ()

It demonstrates the power of partnership between federal, state, and local government with the community to work toward the end of the monkeypox outbreak.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:12:42 - 00:13:03 ()

As we approach Labor Day weekend, we responded to local governments and the community to provide additional vaccines for Black Pride in Atlanta and Southern Decadence in New Orleans. These events will reach a diverse segment of the LGBTQI+ community and help address some of the equity gaps that we are seeing in vaccination among people of color.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:13:03 - 00:13:20 ()

But that's not enough. We need to work closely with jurisdictions, advocates, local organizations, and service providers on the ground that really know what may be needed to continuously work together to reach deeper in the community, even when there is no big event in town.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:13:20 - 00:13:33 ()

So that's exactly why today we're announcing an Equity Innovation Pilot that earmarks an additional 10,000 vials of vaccine for smaller equity interventions that are identified by jurisdictions.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:13:33 - 00:13:44 ()

This is an exciting new program that is directly based on our conversations and collaboration with local leaders and groups on the ground about what they may need to reach their communities.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:13:44 - 00:13:59 ()

Jurisdictions that have used more than 50 percent of their delivered vaccine qualify for an allocation of vaccine to support up to five smaller equity interventions that reach populations that could benefit from monkeypox prevention.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:13:59 - 00:14:13 ()

So what we mean by an equity intervention is what works in your state, county, or city to reach people who we may not be reaching, especially people of color and members of the LGBTQI+ population.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:14:13 - 00:14:30 ()

What it means is: It can be working with a specific group or venue that reaches the right people for monkeypox prevention. Once these innovative strategies have been reviewed by CDC, vaccines will be supplied to jumpstart these ideas and accelerate reach deeper into communities.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:14:30 - 00:14:42 ()

We know jurisdictions have already centered equity in their work, but we want to provide additional support to foster even greater innovation in vaccine outreach and education of the communities most at risk.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:14:42 - 00:14:51 ()

This allows jurisdictions to try out new strategies that will better reach communities of color and others over-represented in the monkeypox outbreak.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:14:51 - 00:15:09 ()

So, great examples include providing vaccines to clinics and organizations not yet reached by current supply; vaccinating at smaller, high-impact events; and placing vaccine in new places like pharmacy-associated clinics that might be less stigmatizing places for some to walk in to seek vaccine.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:15:09 - 00:15:23 ()

So an example that we heard from D.C. is that using pharmacy-associated clinics actually resulted in significant improvements in vaccination equity. This allows others to explore similar innovation.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:15:23 - 00:15:47 ()

Working with new organizations, reaching new communities, leveraging new venues, and addressing trends in the local epidemiology of monkeypox through innovative strategies will help states and cities to better place vaccine where people are and address some of the stigma and barriers that have slowed access for some.

Bob Fenton

00:15:47 - 00:15:50 ()

Right, we're going to move over to Dawn O'Connell to speak next.

Bob Fenton

00:15:50 - 00:15:50 ()

Bob Fenton

00:15:50 - 00:15:55 ()

MS. O'CONNELL: Thanks so much, Bob. Really appreciate it.

Bob Fenton

00:15:55 - 00:16:07 ()

At ASPR, we continue to do everything we can to increase the availability and accelerate the distribution of vaccines and treatments nationwide with a focus on making vaccines available to those at highest risk.

Bob Fenton

00:16:07 - 00:16:17 ()

As the Secretary just mentioned, by the end of the current Phase 4 allocation, we will be very near to having enough vaccine to offer two doses to the entire high-risk population.

Bob Fenton

00:16:17 - 00:16:21 ()

We have more work to do but are making progress.

Bob Fenton

00:16:21 - 00:16:33 ()

To date, we have allocated approximately 1.1 million vials of JYNNEOS vaccine to states and jurisdictions. Of that, we have shipped approximately 771,000 vials to jurisdictions.

Bob Fenton

00:16:33 - 00:16:42 ()

As we continue to distribute vaccines, we are making sure and working closely with states and jurisdictions to understand where vaccines are needed the most.

Bob Fenton

00:16:42 - 00:16:50 ()

As of yesterday, 14 jurisdictions have reported that they have used 85 percent of their available supply. This is no change from last week.

Bob Fenton

00:16:50 - 00:17:00 ()

As soon as jurisdictions let us know they have used their 85 percent, they can order more, and our Strategic National Stockpile team will ship those additional vials out immediately.

Bob Fenton

00:17:00 - 00:17:11 ()

We are in daily communication with jurisdictions, and we continue to work to streamline our operations to help them get vaccines to those that need them most as soon as possible.

Bob Fenton

00:17:11 - 00:17:19 ()

As we continue with our day-to-day response, we also are focused on strengthening our future vaccine pipeline and bolstering our domestic supply chain.

Bob Fenton

00:17:19 - 00:17:35 ()

Less than two weeks ago, Bavarian Nordic reached an agreement with Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing -- or "GRAM" for short -- or "GRAM," as it is known short -- to establish the first U.S.-based fill-and-finish line for JYNNEOS in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Bob Fenton

00:17:35 - 00:17:51 ()

Yesterday, ASPR's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority announced an $11 million investment in GRAM to purchase additional equipment necessary for JYNNEOS production and recruit and train about 75 additional staff to operate the line.

Bob Fenton

00:17:51 - 00:18:00 ()

I had the pleasure of traveling to Grand Rapids yesterday, where I met with company officials and saw firsthand the progress being made to stand up the new line.

Bob Fenton

00:18:00 - 00:18:21 ()

In addition to the financial backing, we are providing technical assistance to the Bavarian Nordic and GRAM teams, making sure they have access to all the necessary materials, facilitating connections where needed, and helping clear any roadblocks or hurdles to getting this capacity online as quickly as possible.

Bob Fenton

00:18:21 - 00:18:30 ()

We anticipate the Michigan line will be up and running by the end of the year, doubling the current capacity to fill and finish the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Bob Fenton

00:18:30 - 00:18:39 ()

Our messages to jurisdictions continues to be: If you need vaccines, if you need treatments, or if you need support for your local response, please let us know immediately.

Bob Fenton

00:18:39 - 00:18:42 ()

And with that, I'll turn it over to you, Kevin.

Kevin Munoz

00:18:42 - 00:18:53 ()

Thank you so much, Dawn. First question, let's go to Jeannie Baumann at Bloomberg.

Question

00:18:53 - 00:19:03 ()

Hi, thanks so much for taking my question. I was wondering, you know, what you're doing at CDC to sort of collect data on, you know, vaccine administration.

Question

00:19:03 - 00:19:17 ()

I know you've said that the intradermal is safe and effective, but, you know, we're going to have some real-world evidence. And I didn't know if, at some of these big events, you're going to be, you know, collecting that data and have a way to sort of do follow-up to see if there are any reactions or adverse events.

Question

00:19:17 - 00:19:18 ()

Bob Fenton

00:19:18 - 00:19:22 ()

Yeah, let me have Dr. Jenny McQuiston from CDC answer that question.

Jenny McQuiston

00:19:22 - 00:19:40 ()

Hi, thank you. CDC is certainly interested in looking at vaccine efficacy from the perspective of how well is the vaccine working and also vaccine safety, and we have several systems in place that do gather information about that.

Jenny McQuiston

00:19:40 - 00:20:05 ()

CDC operates a system called VAERS -- or the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System -- and we're actively looking at, you know, different types of events that might be reported post-vaccination. And we are actively gathering information from the different jurisdictions and states and cities about which vaccines they're administering -- whether it's subcutaneous or intradermal -- and we are gathering those data now, as we speak.

Jenny McQuiston

00:20:05 - 00:20:23 ()

If you look on the CDC website, you're going to start to see a lot of information about vaccine administration. Right now, we have some states on board, and we're actively onboarding the rest. So I think that we'll be up to full state reporting in about a week, but you can start to get information now if you go on the CDC website and look.

Jenny McQuiston

00:20:23 - 00:20:41 ()

With respect to the vaccines that are being given out at some of these large venues, I think those systems are going to be in place for people who get vaccinated, whether it's through a special venue or through a normal jurisdictional clinic. So I think those same systems will be capturing data.

Bob Fenton

00:20:41 - 00:20:44 ()

Thank you. Kevin, and we'll take another question.

Kevin Munoz

00:20:44 - 00:20:49 ()

Let's go to Chris Wiggins at The Advocate.

Question

00:20:49 - 00:21:06 ()

Thank you for taking my question. I have two questions. There's a report from the Houston area of a patient with a confirmed monkeypox infection who has died. Do you have any information about that case to share? And now that somebody has died in the U.S., does that change the messaging to the public at all?

Question

00:21:06 - 00:21:26 ()

And then looking beyond Southern Decadence, people who attended the events in Charlotte the weekend before last reported not seeing many signs indicating where monkeypox vaccines would be available. And those who did find information had to walk to satellite locations a distance away from the events, making it inconvenient.

Question

00:21:26 - 00:21:44 ()

During a press event at Mecklenburg County, they said that no signage was put out in order to protect people's privacy. And so, Virginia also said that they would not be doing onsite vaccination at Virginia's Pride Fest at the end of September.

Question

00:21:44 - 00:21:50 ()

I'm wondering what the administration's message to localities worried about privacy in regards to onsite vaccination is.

Question

00:21:50 - 00:21:51 ()

Question

00:21:51 - 00:22:05 ()

Yeah, let me start with Dr. Jenny McQuiston down at CDC to answer the first question and talk about the second. And then I'll see if Dr. Daskalakis wants to add anything to the second part of the question.

Question

00:22:05 - 00:22:08 ()

So, Dr. McQuiston?

Jenny McQuiston

00:22:08 - 00:22:37 ()

Hi, thanks for that. Yeah, CDC has been in touch with Texas and Harris County, and we are aware that they are reporting a death in a patient that did test positive for monkeypox. It's our understanding this patient also had underlying health conditions and had a number of things going on, and I think that additional investigation is needed to know what role monkeypox may or may not have played in their death. So we'll be reporting that out as soon as we have more information.

Jenny McQuiston

00:22:37 - 00:22:57 ()

I think it's important to emphasize that deaths due to monkeypox, while possible, remain very rare. In most cases, people are experiencing infection that resolves over time. And there have been very few deaths even recorded globally. Out of over 40,000 cases around the world, only a handful of fatalities have been reported.

Jenny McQuiston

00:22:57 - 00:23:18 ()

It's serious, and our hearts certainly go out to this family who have lost a loved one. And while we are doing further investigations to find out what role monkeypox may have played, it's important to focus that we have mitigation measures in place to prevent monkeypox. Get vaccinated. If you're sick, go to a doctor. Get tested. And if you have severe illness, there are treatments that are available.

Bob Fenton

00:23:18 - 00:23:19 ()

Jenny McQuiston

00:23:19 - 00:23:27 ()

I think if -- if you want me to talk a little bit about sort of the Charlotte event, I'll start and then I'll pass it on to Dr. Daskalakis.

Jenny McQuiston

00:23:27 - 00:23:44 ()

I think that feedback that you provided is actually really extraordinarily helpful. I mean, Charlotte was a pilot project. So only about 540 vaccines were administered during the Charlotte event. And I think some of it was trying to see what might be possible, what might be best practices.

Jenny McQuiston

00:23:44 - 00:23:51 ()

So the information you provided about signage and making sure privacy was considered, I think, will be really important to inform some of these other events.

Bob Fenton

00:23:51 - 00:23:55 ()

Let me see if Dr. Daskalakis would like to add --

Demetre Daskalakis

00:23:55 - 00:24:08 ()

I would love to add a bit to Dr. McQuiston. So I'll start by saying that public health is a local experience. And it's really important that jurisdictions make their plans based on what they expect in their jurisdiction and what's appropriate for their population.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:24:08 - 00:24:23 ()

So I think it's important to also respect sort of the strategy that Charlotte may have had in terms of how to get the word out. And so, 500-plus vaccines is a great success. It's not a clinic. And so really going to Pride and getting vaccinated -- any number, especially that high, I think, is remarkable.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:24:23 - 00:24:41 ()

But I'll say I've also spoken to the folks in Atlanta and the folks in New Orleans, and I think their strategy is a bit different. And so I think the New Orleans event is going to be right in Armstrong Park. So you're going to be very clearly in the middle of the French Quarter, very clear where -- where testing as well as vaccines will be available. They have multiple events.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:24:41 - 00:25:00 ()

Same with Atlanta. They've promoted already, through the networks of Black gay Pride. And they're actually building on some great successes in Atlanta. Fulton County just put out data that actually almost 70 percent of their vaccines, so far in their vaccination effort, have actually been given to people who are Black and brown.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:25:00 - 00:25:14 ()

So I think that this is going to be another great experience where the local public health officials work with their community to identify what's the best way to get the word out at these big events. So I think it'll be really exciting to see how it plays out in different venues.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:25:14 - 00:25:15 ()

Bob Fenton

00:25:15 - 00:25:19 ()

We'll take another question, Kevin.

Kevin Munoz

00:25:19 - 00:25:21 ()

Let's go to Emily Woodruff at the New Orleans Advocate.

Question

00:25:21 - 00:25:29 ()

Hi, there. This is Emily Woodruff. I'm with the Advocate and Times-Picayune. Thank you for taking my question.

Question

00:25:29 - 00:26:01 ()

So I'm wondering if you can tell me about the decision to send vaccines to New Orleans for the event rather than in advance. I know our state officials advocated for more vaccine -- vaccines, you know, as far back as July. And so, most people here won't probably have even had their second shot by that time -- the event that's this weekend. So can you tell me about that decision and just how people should think about their level of protection going into this?

Bob Fenton

00:26:01 - 00:26:18 ()

Yeah, well, let me start with Dr. Daskalakis to talk about the different Pride events and also the pilot that we talked about, and the importance of reaching out to people to use them to vaccinate those with -- at risk to monkey- -- to monkeypox.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:26:18 - 00:26:25 ()

Great. I'll start, and I'll make sure Dr. McQuiston doesn't have anything else to add. So I'll hand the baton to her after.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:26:25 - 00:27:02 ()

So I think the decision to send vaccines to New Orleans, specifically for Southern Decadence, was responsive to the community and the local government. And so I think we heard loud and clear that given this sort of event and the fact that it does attract many gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, and others in the queer community to the -- to that space, it was a great opportunity to get folks ready for the event in terms of getting some vaccines on the ground early, but also, a great opportunity to reach people who won't go to a clinic or a vaccine effort, but will feel comfortable in, frankly, less stigmatizing spaces that can occur in the events.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:27:02 - 00:27:16 ()

I think one of the really important things that CDC has done, in terms of setting this up -- along with having people on the ground, as you heard from the governor -- is being very clear about what guidance is to people after they get their first shot. So that first shot doesn't mean that you're protected for the event.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:27:16 - 00:27:30 ()

We're going to talk to them about lots of other strategies that they can reduce risk of acquiring monkeypox, but also make it clear that that shot is not for today; it's for four weeks from now, plus two weeks after that second dose when you get maximum protection.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:27:30 - 00:27:34 ()

Dr. McQuiston, not sure if you have anything to add.

Jenny McQuiston

00:27:34 - 00:28:04 ()

I think the only thing I would add is: Yes, we certainly had a request from Louisiana with -- asking for large amounts of vaccine, you know, some time ago. But I think it was actually the interagency decision to move to intradermal dosing that freed up enough doses that we could begin to plan a much larger strategy and knew that we had enough to provide. And so I think that that is one of the reasons why -- why perhaps the vaccine is coming out now for Louisiana rather than in July. So I just wanted to flag that.

Bob Fenton

00:28:04 - 00:28:06 ()

Bob Fenton

00:28:06 - 00:28:07 ()

Kevin, we'll take another question.

Kevin Munoz

00:28:07 - 00:28:11 ()

Let's got to Fenit with the Washington Post.

Question

00:28:11 - 00:28:14 ()

Hi, can you hear me?

Bob Fenton

00:28:14 - 00:28:16 ()

Yeah, we hear you.

Question

00:28:16 - 00:28:33 ()

Demetre, can you expand more on how this equity-focused vaccine distribution is going to work? You mentioned how it would apply for up to five -- to five interventions. What kind of interventions are we talking about here?

Demetre Daskalakis

00:28:33 - 00:28:50 ()

Great question. So, it's going to be very similar to the allocations for the large events. It just will allow jurisdictions to work with their community to identify a handful -- a little package of interventions and equity strategies that may work for them.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:28:50 - 00:29:10 ()

So, I gave some examples. It can be really in the eye of the beholder. Again, what happens in the jurisdiction level really involves that important community engagement and figuring out what will work in their space. So it means letting the CDC know what that plan is, having them review it, and then providing an allocation to address what the vision is.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:29:10 - 00:29:29 ()

So there's lots of examples. So, it can be working in specific venues, specific communities. For instance, like thinking about, like, the House and Ballroom community as one example -- is like one strategy that could be great. It attracts a lot of -- of younger folk who are Black and brown. So it could be a great strategy to sort of connect with that community.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:29:29 - 00:29:40 ()

Those tend to be smaller events and won't hit the threshold of 50,000. So it's really a way to extend the equity plan to not only look at these larger events, but also more local, smaller events.

Bob Fenton

00:29:40 - 00:29:45 ()

Kevin, we'll take another question.

Kevin Munoz

00:29:45 - 00:29:47 ()

Let's go to MJ Lee at CNN.

Question

00:29:47 - 00:30:18 ()

Hi, thank you for taking my question; I have two. The first is on funding. I was wondering if you could give us an estimate on how much funding the administration estimates that it needs to do everything that it needs to do to try to contain monkeypox and whether there's going to be an official request that is made to Congress and whether that's also just sort of complicated by the outstanding requests for COVID funding.

Question

00:30:18 - 00:30:37 ()

And then I had a follow-up on Southern Decadence. And particularly, I'm interested in hearing from the governor. You know, you had talked about actions being taken to get vaccines to some of the attendees. But obviously, as you've talked about, there are two doses that are necessary. There's a lag time before you get full immunity from the vaccine.

Question

00:30:37 - 00:30:48 ()

So just wondering if you could talk to us a little bit about what went into going ahead with the event anyway and risk an outbreak and whether there was any consideration given to canceling the event this year.

Question

00:30:48 - 00:30:49 ()

Bob Fenton

00:30:49 - 00:31:10 ()

Yeah, thank you for those questions. You know, we always want to ensure that we have the resources needed to respond to this event and continue discussions to ensure that those resources will be there through ongoing discussions with Congress and the administration.

Bob Fenton

00:31:10 - 00:31:18 ()

Let me turn it over to Secretary Becerra to speak specifically to HHS and anything he wants to add around that area.

Bob Fenton

00:31:18 - 00:31:27 ()

And then we'll turn over your second question to both CDC and Dr. Daskalakis.

Xavier Becerra

00:31:27 - 00:31:32 ()

Thanks, Bob. And may ask ASPR Administrator Dawn O'Connell to add a little bit as well.

Xavier Becerra

00:31:32 - 00:31:53 ()

But what I'll tell you is that we continue to try to stay apace, stay ahead of what is needed in the various jurisdictions so we can make sure that distribution works for them in partnership. And what we've done is stayed in communication with our congressional partners to try to keep them abreast of the needs to keep this effort going to be able to stop the spread and end the outbreak.

Xavier Becerra

00:31:53 - 00:32:23 ()

And so, what we're going to do is continue to communicate with Congress. We have different scenarios that have been played out. You can discuss the pool of individuals who might benefit from the vaccine -- that can be any large number of different types of populations. Obviously, those highest at risk are those that we're targeting first and foremost. But what we're doing is -- in conversations with Congress, is trying to make sure that we can stay ahead of the monkeypox outbreak.

Xavier Becerra

00:32:23 - 00:32:25 ()

But let me see if Dawn wants to add anything to that.

Xavier Becerra

00:32:25 - 00:32:53 ()

MS. O'CONNELL: Thank you so much, Secretary. So our focus and priority remains making sure that we have the tools to end this outbreak as quickly as possible. And if we were to receive additional funding, among the things that funding might go to are additional purchases of vaccine, additional purchases of TPOXX, making sure that we have the antivirals and the vaccine available for those populations that might need it. And we can use these tools to end the outbreak as quickly as possible.

Xavier Becerra

00:32:53 - 00:33:00 ()

So we're continuing to look across what those budget numbers might be and -- and plan accordingly.

Bob Fenton

00:33:00 - 00:33:26 ()

Thank you. Let's go to CDC to talk about Southern Decadence. And I'll have -- see if Dr. McQuiston could add to the decision to support that effort. And obviously, it's a local decision to put on Southern Decadence. What we're doing is supporting it. But she could talk about more of the risks there and -- and our efforts to support.

Jenny McQuiston

00:33:26 - 00:33:54 ()

Thanks so much. Yeah, it is definitely a local decision whether or not to put on an event like this. And unfortunately, I think the governor was not able to be on for the full press conference, but what I can speak to is that at -- from a CDC perspective, we really look at this as an opportunity to reach individuals that need information about monkeypox -- how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. And so, that's the spirit in which we're leaning into the engagements that we're having here.

Jenny McQuiston

00:33:54 - 00:34:05 ()

So not only getting vaccine to people who might not have had it yet and would benefit from it, but making sure that the educational measures, they -- all of the information that they need to stay safe is something that can be provided along with it.

Jenny McQuiston

00:34:05 - 00:34:22 ()

So it's -- it's an opportunity to meet people where they are. And one of the things that was discussed: It's also an opportunity to reach those who might not have equitable access to vaccine in -- where they live and where they're able to access care normally.

Jenny McQuiston

00:34:22 - 00:34:25 ()

So, Demetre, I'm sure you have something to add to that.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:34:25 - 00:34:37 ()

Thanks, Jenny. I'll just add that, you know, I think clear messaging is really the cornerstone of how this outbreak has been approached specifically to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:34:37 - 00:34:46 ()

And regardless of the event, knowledge is power to allow them to make decisions that will help them prevent transmission or acquisition of monkeypox.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:34:46 - 00:35:00 ()

And so I think we have really good evidence, as an example, from a Morbidity and -- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that was released last week that showed that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are actually taking steps in their behaviors to reduce risk.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:35:00 - 00:35:11 ()

And so it's about -- less about the event and about the people and their dedication to really trying to keep themselves and their communities safe. And we're seeing clear signals that this community is doing that.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:35:11 - 00:35:17 ()

Plus, with vaccine availability, this is a fabulous opportunity for individuals to get their first dose.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:35:17 - 00:35:32 ()

So all in all, I think that the decision is local. But at the end of the day, I think that the community, I think, is speaking with their feet, asking for a vaccine; as well as with their actions, reducing some of the behaviors that can lead to acquisition of monkeypox.

Bob Fenton

00:35:32 - 00:35:35 ()

Kevin, we'll take another question.

Kevin Munoz

00:35:35 - 00:35:40 ()

Last question. Let's go to Sabrina Wilson at Fox in New Orleans.

Question

00:35:40 - 00:35:41 ()

Do you hear me?

Bob Fenton

00:35:41 - 00:35:46 ()

Yeah, we hear you.

Question

00:35:46 - 00:35:58 ()

Yeah, so, with all vaccines, of course, you guys know better than I do that there is a lot of hesitancy. So how do you get people to embrace taking the shots?

Bob Fenton

00:35:58 - 00:36:06 ()

Let me first start with CDC and Dr. McQuiston, and then I'll ask Dr. Daskalakis to add to that.

Jenny McQuiston

00:36:06 - 00:36:29 ()

No, I appreciate that. You know, the monkeypox vaccine experience has been one that has been quite surprising to me personally at CDC. There has been no shortage of individuals lining up, wanting vaccine from the very first moment that monkeypox was reported here in the United States. It's been keeping up with that demand that, I think, has been the challenge.

Jenny McQuiston

00:36:29 - 00:36:43 ()

So we've not really seen a lot of vaccine hesitancy. I think as more vaccine gets in arms and people become protected, we'll be able to focus in on maybe who has elected to not get vaccinated and -- and what information can we provide to them that might help change their minds.

Jenny McQuiston

00:36:43 - 00:36:45 ()

And so, I'm sure Demetre has some ideas on this as well.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:36:45 - 00:37:01 ()

I mean, I think you covered it great, Jenny. But I'll say that, you know, really looking at what we're seeing, in terms of vaccine administration, I want to raise up that Fulton County finding where really taking steps to address equity means that their story is a lot different than other parts of the country.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:37:01 - 00:37:21 ()

So, like I said, they actually just put out data that almost 69 percent of their vaccines that have been given so far are in -- in people of color. And it just shows that -- that really the way that you build confidence is by really making vaccine accessible and making sure that we elevate voices of people who are getting vaccine and -- and speak to the community.

Demetre Daskalakis

00:37:21 - 00:37:37 ()

So I think that really our next chapter here is not about vaccine hesitancy but about vaccine confidence and making sure that we build in systems that really improve equity and make sure vaccines are getting not only in arms but in arms of people who really need it.

Bob Fenton

00:37:37 - 00:37:58 ()

With that, I want to thank you for joining us today, and especially thank Governor Edwards for joining us today and all the questions as we work together through federal, state, and local government to ensure that we vaccinate those at highest risk. And the -- today's briefed equity events will also do that.

Bob Fenton

00:37:58 - 00:38:09 ()

So, thank you. Have a good day.