DPH director recognizes primary-care leader, urges mPox vaccination and describes DoxyPEP rollout

Director of Health Grant Colfax used his May 16 report to acknowledge Anna Roberts 11 years at DPH and to announce her new role as chief executive officer at Mission Neighborhood Health Center. Commissioners praised her leadership in primary care and pandemic response.

Colfax also addressed public-health programs: DPH is encouraging mPox vaccination in advance of summer events and is rolling out doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) based on a randomized trial that showed reductions in syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. "We are taking the initiative here, and aggressively rolling out and offering DoxyPEP," Colfax said, adding that uptake locally has been strong.

On COVID, Colfax reported a seven-day rolling average of 33 new cases per day and 43 people hospitalized (including five patients in the ICU) as of May 3, and he provided local vaccination and booster percentages. He noted current trends were relatively low compared with prior surges and said hospitalization counts were an important metric for assessing health-system strain.

Commissioners asked for clarifications on DoxyPEP timing and mPox vaccine spacing; Colfax said clinical staff would provide more detailed guidance through the health officer's office and follow up at the next report.

What happens next: DPH will continue outreach on mPox vaccination and DoxyPEP and will provide additional clinical detail to commissioners and the public as staff are available to answer technical questions.