FROM HOUSING WORKS ON MENINGITIS

Breaking News: The New York City Department of Health is recommending all gay men, bisexual men, as well as men who have sex with men (MSM) who live in New York City to seek a vaccination for invasive meningococcal disease or commonly known as meningitis. This includes both HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and MSM. The DOH reports: The Health Department is seeing an increase in bacterial meningitis cases among men who have sex with men in New York City. Most cases live in Brooklyn and are among Black or Hispanic men between the ages of 21 and 59 years old. Approximately half of all cases are among men who are HIV positive. The Health Department is recommending vaccination against invasive meningococcal disease – commonly known as meningitis – for: 1) All HIV-infected MSM who: a. Are NYC residents and b. Have had intimate contact with other men met either through an online website, digital application (“app”), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. 2) All HIV-negative MSM who: a. Have had intimate contact with other men met either through an online website, digital application (“app”), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012 and b. Live in one of the following Brooklyn neighborhoods: Bedford Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown, Dumbo, East New York, Prospect Heights and Williamsburg. People should first ask their health care provider if they have the meningitis vaccine. Housing Works clients can call our health centers to double check the availability of the vaccine. MORE: HOUSINGWORKS