Activists, business owners and even party planners all worked together last week to urge community members to get the meningitis vaccine being administered for free by the Chicago Department of Public Health.
With six gay men diagnosed with meningitis by Oct. 10, and three of them dead, the city went into high alert, posting signs in the North Side gay community and rushing orders of vaccine for the strain of meningitis believed to be hitting the gay community.
As of Sunday night when the free vaccination sites closed, more than 14,000 people had received the shot. People who are already sick are urged to contact their physician or go to a hospital.
Gay and lesbian community leaders expressed strong support for the quick reaction by the Health Department. At the Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame, many individuals noted how impressed they were with the professional response by health leaders and workers.
Toronto experienced a similar meningitis cluster among gay men two years ago. For one month, Toronto Public Health and community partners conducted vaccine clinics. Five cases of the disease had been reported, two of which resulted in death.
— Tracy Baim