NORFOLK, Va. — This Saturday, Patty Pruitt expects a different kind of crowd than the one she’s normally accustomed to.
That's when The Wave, a long-standing LGBTQ+ nightclub on Colley Avenue in Norfolk, will host a free monkeypox vaccine clinic between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the hours before the club opens.
Pruitt, one of The Wave's owners, said having the clinic at an LGBTQ+ friendly business promotes comfortability around getting the vaccine.
“The reason we wanted to do one in this space is not only is there history there, but it’s significant to the LGBTQ+ community. It has familiarity, inclusivity, and comfort. It’s a space for joy, where we gather to celebrate," she told 13News Now Wednesday.
There are now 284 cases of monkeypox in Virginia, according to the most recent numbers from the Virginia Department of Health.
While most of these cases are in northern Virginia, there are 48 in the "eastern region," which includes Hampton Roads.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are almost 6,000 Virginians who have received their first shot of the two-dose vaccine, and more than 600 of those come from the state's Eastern health district. Saturday’s clinic will have the inventory to deliver 300 shots within the three hours the clinic is open.
These are appointment-filled slots and The Wave’s owners say people shouldn’t just show up without an appointment. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 70 people had registered for a dose of a vaccine.
The best way to register for the clinic, according to Pruitt, is to go through the online portal through the Virginia Department of Health. That's where people can find The Wave clinic this weekend by typing in the zip code as well as the "monkeypox vaccine" filter option.
The nightclub's owners say there are plans for a follow-up clinic in September.
People may also schedule vaccine appointments by calling 757-518-2700 and pressing Option 5.