No Laughing Matter

I went ahead and got the meningitis vaccine today at my annual physical. (He said the shingles vaccine would be "overkill," and to wait till I'm 60.) Turns out it's only good for about five years, though, so keep that in mind if you thinking about getting it. When I jokingly said to my doctor "don't tell Jenny McCarthy about this" as he stuck the needle in my arm, he said to me that she was single-handedly responsible for hundreds of thousands of cases of whooping cough in children in this country. )And she's annoying.) Not being preachy, but consider talking to your doctor about the meningitis and hepatitis vaccinations. I'm happy I did.

Brooklyn Is So '80s Haiti

Just received an update from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Because the most recent cases of meningitis have been HIV negative gay men living in Brooklyn, the city has broadened the scope of its recommendation:

The Health Department continues to recommend vaccinations for any New York City man who is HIV-positive and has had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application (“App”), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012. In addition, vaccinations are now advised for men, regardless of HIV status, who have had intimate contact with another man that he met through a website, digital application (“App”), or at a bar or party since September 1, 2012 AND live in the following neighborhoods: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Bushwick, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, East New York, Prospect Heights and Williamsburg.

Learn more HERE.