What to Know
- NYC topped 1,000 confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases and then some this week and now accounts for 27% of the largest-ever U.S. outbreak of the disease, which is typically confined to the African continent
- Vaccines are available but supply has been limited. Appointments are getting snapped up as soon as they become available, with 17,000 gone within 30 minutes of dropping on Friday
- U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said Thursday the government is releasing another 786,000 vaccine doses from the federal stockpile. More than 10% of them are going to New York City
The U.S. government will release nearly 800,000 more monkeypox vaccine doses from the federal stockpile, allocating more than 10% of them to the epicenter of America's outbreak, New York City, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer says — but it may be a while before all those doses will be distributed throughout the state.
The Democratic senator from New York announced Thursday that 80,000-plus, or more than 10%, of 786,000 additional vials from the stockpile will go to the five boroughs. New York state will get another 30,000, Schumer said.
The doses are allocated based on case burden and high-risk population, according to the senator, so the heavily weighted allocation for New York comes as no surprise.
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New York City's monkeypox outbreak ballooned to at least 1,251 cases in Thursday's report from the health department, up nearly 200 from just two days ago. That total, widely believed to be significantly underreported, still accounts for 27% of the burgeoning national caseload. Thousands of vaccine appointments are continuously being scooped up within a half-hour of opening, and the state has warned New Yorkers in recent allocation rounds that they may be insufficient to cover everyone eligible who wants one.
Thursday's federal stockpile release is part of a series of intensifying efforts to contain America's still-growing and already largest-ever monkeypox outbreak. Anyone can get the disease, but the vaccine already exists, unlike with COVID-19.
"As we learned throughout the pandemic, vaccines not only save lives, but they contain the spread of the virus. Containing Monkeypox, our latest public health challenge, demands the same kind of resolve and focus," Schumer said. "For weeks, I have been on the phone with each and every agency working to overcome monkeypox. We know our biggest hurdle right now is that we need more vaccines, and I’ve told the FDA, we need those vaccines in New York state."
Calling the latest allocations a "big win for public health, and New York," Schumer acknowledged more work must be done, "but today marks a critical step in that fight and delivers a huge sigh of relief to New Yorkers waiting for their monkeypox vaccine. More are on the way."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul cheered the additional vaccine doses coming to her state, but added that the vaccines "will be delivered over the next four to six weeks" throughout the state.
"With more than one-quarter of all cases in the U.S., New Yorkers, and especially our LGBTQ+ community, remain among the hardest-hit. We will continue to advocate to the federal government for our fair share of vaccines based on the disease burden impacting New York," Hochul said.
Also on Thursday, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett declared monkeypox an imminent threat to public heath, which will allow local health departments will have access to reimbursement from the state after other federal and state funds get depleted.
As for surrounding states, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote a letter to the federal government earlier in the week asking for more vaccine doses, pleading that his state had not been giving its fair share. He also announced two new vaccine sites in Bergen and Camden counties.
Meanwhile in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said he’s confident the virus can still be contained — especially compared to COVID — if states get the resources they need.
"When New York City sneezes Connecticut catches a cold," he said. "I believe this will be a narrower population much less likely to be transmitted broadly but be careful."
As of Thursday, the CDC reports 4,639 confirmed monkeypox or orthopox virus (the same family) cases across the United States. Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming and Montana are the only four states without a confirmed case, though that doesn't mean monkeypox isn't already spreading in those areas.
Earlier this week, Dr. Anthony Fauci called the outbreak a "serious problem" said the White House was considered establishing a monkeypox coordinator role similar to its COVID one to streamline response, distribution and other outreach efforts.
MONKEYPOX IN NYC
The New York State Department of Health listed steps people should take in order to help prevent the spread of monkeypox:
• Ask sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with monkeypox.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other monkeypox-related symptoms.
• Contact a healthcare provider following exposure or symptoms, and check with your local county health department about vaccine eligibility.
• New Yorkers who receive the JYNNEOS vaccine should receive both doses, given four-weeks apart, and stay vigilant until fully vaccinated, two weeks following the second dose.
• If you or your healthcare provider suspect you may have monkeypox, isolate at home. If you can, stay in a separate area from other family members and pets.
• Follow reputable sources of health information, including NYSDOH, CDC, and your local county health department.
