The Department of Health will release over 8,000 additional first dose appointments over the next two weeks, an additional 4,000 doses will be made available through referrals from a community partner organization serving most at risk patients
Appointments will be available on the city’s vaccine portal: vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox on Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m.
July 14, 2022 — The Department of Health today announced plans for the next allocation of the JYNNEOSTM vaccine. About 14,500 doses arrived this week from the federal government, and starting this weekend, the Department will administer those doses at mass vaccination sites and clinics in the five boroughs.
“We are addressing monkeypox in New York City with the urgency it deserves, and we are working to center equity in all of the Department’s work, making sure to meet people where they are,” said the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ashwin Vasan. “We will continue to work to meet the needs of New Yorkers at high risk for monkeypox transmission and severe illness. We expect this release of appointments to happen quickly given the demand we have seen and we are working with our federal partners to acquire more doses as quickly as possible. My sincere thanks go out to all of the advocates, community and healthcare partners working to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy. »
In addition to existing monkeypox vaccination clinics located at the Department’s Chelsea, Central Harlem and Corona Sexual Health Clinic sites, a new clinic will open at:
This Sunday, three mass vaccination sites will open by appointment at:
These three mass vaccination sites will be open by appointment only on Sunday, July 17.
Beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, July 15, 8,200 first-dose appointments will be booked for the eligible public through the city’s immunization portal, vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox. Appointments will be scheduled over the next two weeks. An additional 4,000 doses will be made available through referrals from community partner organizations serving most-at-risk patients. At this time, appointments are for first doses only, and the health department will contact those receiving their first dose when it is time to schedule their second dose appointment. The remaining doses are reserved for contacts of known cases identified through Health Department contact tracing and potentially for second doses, depending on supply and pending CDC guidance, although the city hopes and has requested Federal government to be allowed to continue prioritizing first doses while supply is limited (PDF). In addition to these 4 clinical sites and 3 mass vaccination sites, the Department will work with local health care providers who serve the eligible community to plan for the provision of limited doses of the vaccine to their facilities over the coming weeks.
New Yorkers can now also sign up for SMS notifications to receive monkeypox alerts in New York, including appointment announcements, by texting MONKEYPOX to 692692 or MONKEYPOXESP for alerts in Spanish. Messages and data rates may be applied.
The monkeypox epidemic is growing in New York and the risk of exposure through sex and other close physical contact is increasing. Anyone can catch and spread monkeypox. Current cases are spreading primarily among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, so this community is currently most at risk of exposure. People with multiple or anonymous sexual partners are particularly at risk. Due to the limited supply of the JYNNEOSTM vaccine nationwide, eligibility during this phase is limited to those most at risk of recent exposure based on national and local cases. Currently, these are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men and transgender, gender nonconforming, or gender nonconforming people ages 18 and older who have had sexual partners multiple or anonymous in the last 14 days. More appointments will be posted when more vaccines are allocated to New York by the federal government.
About monkeypox
The monkeypox virus is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with a rash or wounds of someone infected with the virus. It can also be spread through contact with clothing, bedding, and other items used by someone with monkeypox, or through respiratory droplets that can be transmitted during prolonged close contact. Transmission can occur through sex or other close physical contact. It is not yet known whether monkeypox can be spread through saliva, semen or vaginal secretions.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is a rash or sores that may look like pimples or blisters. These can be all over the body or only 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 itchy and painful and cause scarring and other complications. Before or at the same time the rash or sores appear, some people experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and fatigue. In some cases, monkeypox can cause serious 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 risk of getting or spreading monkeypox, do not have sex or other close physical contact (such as touching, massaging, 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. On the same subject : Mayor Bowser and DC Health announce limited monkeypox vaccination appointments will be available to eligible residents today at 1 p.m. | alcaldemb. As more and more New Yorkers are being diagnosed with monkeypox, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as you notice a rash or sores. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, visit 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 United States Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of monkeypox in persons 18 years of age and older. The vaccine is given in two doses, at least four weeks apart.
MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue / Michael Lanza, PressOffice@health.nyc.gov
