State Department of Health Announces Additional Dose Allocation In Phase 2 of Monkeypox Response Strategy

All New Yorkers Should Learn About Monkeypox to Protect Themselves and Prevent Spread

Visit health.ny.gov/monkeypox

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 12, 2022) – The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) today announced distribution plans for the latest CDC allocation of an additional 5,398 JYNNEOS vaccine doses in its strategic response to the current monkeypox outbreak. These doses will allow counties to complete the second dose for first phase participants, as well as, offer vaccines to additional eligible New Yorkers.

New York City also has its own allocation of 14,500 doses from the CDC to complete courses for initial recipients and offer vaccines to additional member of its populations. Vaccine supplies remain limited, and the Department again urges New Yorkers to stay informed about monkeypox and the protective public health precautions everyone should take to prevent transmission.

"As we stated before, we will continue to request and receive additional doses of vaccine from the federal government and will distribute them to the counties with confirmed orthopoxvirus /monkeypox cases," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. "This will enable counties to complete the two-dose regiment required for increased immunity and also reach more at risk individuals."

Due to the continued limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine, eligibility requirements have not yet been expanded beyond Phase 1. Based on CDC guidance, statewide eligibility includes the following New Yorkers:

  • Individuals with recent exposure to monkeypox within the past 14 days.
  • Those at high risk of a recent exposure to monkeypox, including men who have sex with men, gay men, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming and other communities who have sex with men and who have engaged in intimate or skin-to-skin contact with others in the past 14 days areas where monkeypox is spreading.
  • Individuals who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, including men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application ("app"), or social event, such as a bar or party.

Of the 5,398 new doses allocated to New York State by the federal government and distributed to counties, 1,750 will be distributed to Suffolk County, 1,490 to Westchester County, 1,240 to Nassau County, and 620 to Saratoga County. These represent the second dose from Phase 1 and additional vaccines to reach more individuals. Rockland and Sullivan counties, which received 40 doses each in the original allocations, received the 40 doses needed to complete those courses, but no additional doses in this Phase 2, as no additional cases have been reported in those counties. An additional 218 doses from the Phase 2 CDC distribution will be allocated by the Department as future vaccine needs arise in other counties.

New Yorkers with known exposure to a suspected or confirmed monkeypox case in the past 14 days should work with a healthcare provider or their local county health department to determine eligibility for the JYNNEOS vaccine.

In addition to a vaccine distribution strategy, NYSDOH has launched a comprehensive public education campaign to get monkeypox information directly to New Yorkers. This includes paid, digital advertising to reach men who have sex with men and the creation of a dedicated website with the latest information on monkeypox. The website has free, downloadable materials including a palm card, information card, handout, and posters available in both English and Spanish. NYSDOH has already distributed these resources to LGBTQ+ organizations, local county health departments, healthcare providers, and businesses. The posters will be on display at congregate settings statewide, including healthcare centers, mass transit hubs, parks, rest stops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Monkeypox is a rare, viral infection that does not usually cause serious illness. Although the current strain of monkeypox that is circulating in the U.S. is rarely fatal, symptoms can be extremely painful, and people might have permanent scarring resulting from the rash. At this time, there have been no deaths associated with the current outbreak.

Anyone can get monkeypox, which is primarily spread through close, physical contact between people. Based on the current outbreak, certain populations are being affected more than others, including men who have sex with men. Information from previous outbreaks around the world indicate that elderly New Yorkers, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and children under 8 years of age may be at heightened risk for severe outcomes. As of July 11, 2022, a total of 238 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases-a designation established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-have been identified with 223 in New York City, 7 in Westchester County, 1 in Sullivan County, 1 in Chemung County, 1 in Rockland County, 4 in Suffolk County and 1 in Nassau County.

All New Yorkers can protect themselves and prevent the spread of monkeypox in their communities:

  • 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.

Learn more about monkeypox at health.ny.gov/monkeypox.