33,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine headed for NY, demand high in NYC
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she expects the state will get "a major increase" in monkeypox vaccine later this week, as demand continues to grow, particularly in New York City, considered the epicenter of the outbreak.
"That was promised to us, and we hope to get that verified literally in a matter of days," Hochul said. "It'll be so much easier, just like with the vaccines for COVID, the long lines and the frustration, the stress all evaporated once there was a steady supply that met the need. That's where we're on the cusp of getting."
The incredible demand has been matched by the very limited supply and glitches in the rollout of the vaccines.
In fact, 9,200 appointments that dropped Friday night were booked up in just seven minutes online.
Click here for NYC Health's monkeypox information site
Hochul said New York is scheduled to get another 33,000 doses this week.
Over the weekend, the city added vaccine clinics in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn, but the appointments are all gone.
New York state leads the nation in cases, with up to 651 confirmed infections as of Monday. Officials say 618 of them are in New York City.
The outbreak is primarily affecting men who have sex with other men, but if it's not contained quickly just about anyone could be at risk.
"It does appear to be growing quickly," said Dr. Jay Varma, formerly an adviser to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio during the COVID pandemic. "I've been very disappointed that the city, the state, and the federal government have not really released enough data for us to know exactly what the speed is. So far, the rest of the population is relatively protected, but everything we know about infectious diseases is if it gets out of control in one population, it's going to spill over into others."
Most cases are in New York City, but Westchester County is up to at least 16 cases. They're opening vaccine clinics Monday.
You have to call the Westchester County Health Department to make an appointment at (914) 995-2000.
There are also 5 reported cases in Suffolk County, 3 in Nassau County, 3 in Monroe County, 2 in Erie County, 1 in Sullivan County, 1 in Chemung County, 1 in Rockland County, and 1 in St. Lawrence County.
The CDC says it has ordered 2.5 million doses of the vaccine, in addition to 2.5 million that were already ordered on July 1.
If you have a new or unexpected rash or other symptoms of monkeypox, contact a health care provider.
Monkeypox is harder to contract than COVID, as it requires close contact or the sharing of bodily fluid.
The symptoms of the rare virus include fever and rash, muscle aches, and chills.
Worldwide, monkeypox is deadly in between 3% to 6% of cases, though the death rate is less than 1% in areas with quality healthcare.
ALSO READ | Thousands of NYC monkeypox vaccine appointments filled in just 7 minutes
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