Thursday 23 June 2022 09:29 PM New York City is among the first places in the nation to offer monkeypox ... trends now
Gay and bisexual men in New York City who are at a 'high risk' of catching monkeypox are being offered a vaccine to protect against the infection.
Nearly 30 cases of the rash-causing virus, which is usually only spotted in Africa, have been detected in The Big Apple so far. Almost all have been among men who have sex with men.
In a bid to stem the rising case tally, the New York City Health Department opened a clinic Thursday to roll out the two-dose Jynneous vaccine — which is 85 percent effective against infection — to control the outbreak.
It is being offered to men aged 18 and over who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners over the last 14 days.
More than 100 people queued up for the jab today at Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic, Manhattan, as it opened at 11am. Within three hours the city was forced to suspend walk-in appointments because of demand.
The clinic now has all its appointments booked until Monday, with health officials saying they hope to make more slots available 'soon'. Mark Levine, the Manhattan borough president, says the city has only been allocated 1,000 doses so far.
It comes two days ahead of Pride celebrations in the city, which are expected to draw crowds numbering more than two million people.
New York City health officials are yet to announce any further guidance for the weekend, while areas also holding Pride celebrations including Chicago and San Francisco say they will distribute fliers and make 'public service announcements' over the disease.
Vaccines are being offered at the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic (pictured). As many as 100 people reportedly queued outside for the jab today, prompting the city to shelve plans for walk-in appointments just three hours later
The above map shows states that have detected cases of monkeypox, and the tally by state. The red numbers show the change in cases over the last 24 hours
Monkeypox vaccinations are being administered at the clinic between 11am and 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, officials say.
They have not revealed how they are determining whether patients have sex with men or have had multiple sexual partners, although this is likely being done through a questionnaire.
The Jynneous vaccine — which uses a weakened virus — sees patients receiving two injections 28 days apart.
