Health Department Announces Next Allocation of Monkeypox Vaccine and the Opening of New Appointments - NYC Health

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Health Department Announces Next Allocation of Monkeypox Vaccine and the Opening of New Appointments

New York City will receive another approximately 14,500 monkeypox vaccine doses from the federal government this week.

New appointments will go online for eligible New Yorkers on Tuesday at 1:00 PM for vaccinations at the Department’s Central Harlem, Chelsea and Corona Sexual Health Clinics.

July 11, 2022 — The Health Department today announced that more JYNNEOS™ monkeypox vaccine doses are coming to New York City. The next allocation of vaccine, totaling more than 14,500 doses, is expected to arrive later this week from the federal government. The Health Department will announce in the coming days how this allocation will be distributed, prioritizing fast and equitable delivery to New Yorkers. In addition, the city will open the remaining approximately 2,500 appointments from last week’s 6,000-dose allocation at New York City’s temporary vaccine clinics located at the Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic (2238 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan), the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic (303 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan) and the Corona Sexual Health Clinic (34-33 Junction Boulevard, Queens). These appointments are comprised of 1,250 appointments that can be booked online as well as 1,250 appointments through direct referrals from providers for higher-risk and more vulnerable New Yorkers. Appointments will open at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, with a scheduling link available through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website at: nyc.gov/health/monkeypox.

"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 vaccine soon. As we scale up vaccination, we encourage New Yorkers to exercise some caution. Stay home if you feel sick, and especially if you develop a rash or sores that may be monkeypox, and follow some basic preventive measures."

Including the appointments opening on July 12, almost 7,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines will have become available to New Yorkers since June 23. This includes 1,000 appointments that opened on June 23. Since July 6, another 2,400 appointments were booked through the web portal. Another 1,650 total appointments are being distributed through direct referrals from providers and community-based partners, including 1,250 new referrals this week. Tomorrow, the remaining 1,250 appointments will open online to be booked through the web portal. Finally, the city is distributing 620 doses for people suspected or confirmed with monkeypox, identified by the Health Department through its contact tracing effort.

New Yorkers can now also sign up for text notifications to receive alerts about monkeypox in NYC, including appointment releases, by texting MONKEYPOX to 692692 or MONKEYPOXESP for alerts in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply.

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 greater risk of exposure. Due to limited supply of the JYNNEOS™ vaccine 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. 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 JYNNEOSTM 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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