NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — More doses of the monkeypox vaccine are on their way to New York City, health officials announced Monday.
Amid an increase in cases as well as a demand for the vaccine, thousands more doses from the federal government are expected to arrive later this week.
“I commend New Yorkers for taking charge of their health and getting vaccinated,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “We know that vaccine supply continues to be scarce, and appointments may be difficult to get. But we’re working with community-based organizations to ensure an equitable approach and we’re working with federal partners to secure even more vaccines soon.”
Along with additional doses en route to the city, officials also announced the city will open the remaining roughly 2,500 appointments from last week’s 6,000-dose allocation at three temporary vaccine clinics in Harlem, Chelsea and Queens. A scheduling link for New Yorkers seeking an appointment from this batch will open Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Since June 23, the city said almost 7,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccines will have become available. The Health Department has also set aside 620 doses for people suspected or confirmed with monkeypox.
Last week, the 2,500 available appointments were quickly scooped up, in a matter of about 10 minutes.
On Friday, officials confirmed another nearly two dozen presumed monkeypox cases to the count, bringing the total to 223 cases as the outbreak continues to grow. New York City alone now accounts for nearly a quarter of the monkeypox cases in the largest-ever U.S. outbreak.
The vaccine will be restricted to those at highest risk of recent exposure which at this time are gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary persons ages 18 and older who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days
The monkeypox virus is most often spread through direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus. It can also spread through contact with clothing, bedding, and other items used by a person with monkeypox, or from respiratory droplets that can be passed in prolonged close contact. Transmission can occur during sex or other close physical contact. It is not yet known if monkeypox can spread through saliva, semen or vaginal fluids.
The most common symptom is a rash or sores that can look like pimples or blisters. These may be all over the body or just in certain parts, such as the face, hands, or feet, or around or inside the mouth, genitals or anus. Before or at the same time the rash or sores appear, some people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and tiredness. In some cases, monkeypox can cause severe illness. A person is contagious until all sores have healed, and a new layer of skin has formed, which can take two to four weeks.
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