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Health Department Announces Latest Distribution of Monkeypox Vaccine

The Health Department received almost 26,000 doses of the JYNNEOSTMvaccine this week

Appointments will be made available on the City’s vaccine portal: vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox and by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) beginning tomorrow, Friday, July 22nd at 6pm

July 21, 2022 — Today, the Health Department announced plans for its next allocation of the JYNNEOSTM vaccine. Approximately 26,000 additional doses were delivered to New York City as part of Phase 2b from the federal government and state, and will be distributed via clinics, mass vaccination sites and community-based referrals. Individuals will be able to book appointments for July 24 through August 13.

“The Health Department is moving quickly to distribute as many vaccine doses as we can in the most equitable way possible,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “With cases rising, it’s clear that there is a great need for more vaccine in New York City, and we are working with our federal partners to obtain more doses.”

Of the 25,963 doses, 17,000 will open for public appointments tomorrow, July 22. These appointments will be for vaccination at the Chelsea, East Harlem and Corona sexual health clinics operated by the Health Department. In addition, appointments will open at Gotham Health, Vanderbilt on Staten Island and Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, which are operated by NYC Health + Hospitals. From the pool of 17,000 appointments, 10,600 will be for vaccinations at three days of mass vaccination at sites across the city.

The mass vaccination sites will be held on July 24, July 30, and July 31 at:

Brooklyn: Science Skills Center High School, 49 Flatbush Ave Ext., Brooklyn, NY 11201

Queens: IS 125, 46-02 47 Ave., Woodside, NY 11377

Bronx: Bronx High School of Science, 75 W 205th St, Bronx NY 10468

Additional doses will be set aside for referrals from community-based organizations serving higher-risk New Yorkers (3,850) and the remaining doses will be used for provider administered vaccinations and contacts of known cases identified through Health Department contact tracing.

Appointments are for first doses only, in line with the city’s recent decision to prioritize first doses due to its status at the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the U.S.

As of today, 778 people who have tested positive for orthopoxvirus/monkeypox in New York City.

The monkeypox outbreak is growing in New York City, and the risk of exposure through sex and other close physical contact is increasing. Anyone can get and spread monkeypox. The current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, so this community is currently at the greatest risk of exposure. Those with multiple or anonymous sex partners are particularly at risk. Due to limited supply of the JYNNEOSTMvaccine nationally, eligibility during this phase is restricted to those at highest risk of a recent exposure based on national and local cases. Currently, this is 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. More appointments will go online when more vaccine is allotted to New York City by the federal government.

About monkeypox

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.

Symptoms

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. The rash and sores can be quite itchy and painful and cause scarring and other complications. 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.

Prevention and Care

To reduce the chance of getting or spreading monkeypox, do not engage in sex or other close physical contact (such as touching, massage, or kissing) if you or your partners are sick and especially if you or they have a new or unexpected rash or sores anywhere on the body. Avoid gatherings and direct contact with others if you are unwell or have a rash or sores. Wash your hands, sex toys and bedding before and after sex or other intimate activities. As more New Yorkers are diagnosed with monkeypox, it is crucial to seek care as soon as you notice a rash or sores. If you don’t have a health care provider, visit the NYC Health Map or call 311 to be connected to care. People who receive the vaccine should continue to take these precautions to prevent transmission of monkeypox.

The JYNNEOS TM vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of monkeypox in people ages 18 and older. The vaccine is given as two doses, at least four weeks apart.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue/Victoria Merlino: pressoffice@health.nyc.gov

Pressoffice@health.nyc.gov