Monkeypox vaccine clinic to open on Fire Island

Monkeypox vaccine clinic to open on Fire Island

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a monkeypox virion, obtained from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Massachusetts has reported a rare case of monkeypox in a man who recently had traveled to Canada, and investigators are looking into whether it is connected to recent cases in Europe. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)

East Farmingdale, NY- The World Health Organization reported Thursday that monkeypox cases around the world had increased 77% in the last week. Cases of monkeypox also have continued to spread in New York, with 153 confirmed cases as of July 7th. NY Health Officials say for right now, the majority of the confirmed cases are in New York City but three other confirmed cases have been reported in Suffolk County. The New York State Department of Health says they are sending 750 dosages of a monkeypox vaccine called JYNNEOS, to Suffolk County, another 5,989 dosages are heading for vaccine clinics in New York City. New York City Department of Health will host vaccine clinics next week.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is expected to announce that pop up monkeypox vaccination clinics will open next week on Fire Island. News 12 says clinics will be in the communities of the Pines and Cherry Grove on the barrier island.

Monkeypox is spread through skin to skin contact, through contact with fabric or clothing that has touched an infected person or through droplets in the air. Symptoms of monkeypox can begin five to 21 days after exposure. Anyone who believes they have been exposed to monkeypox is encouraged to get a vaccine.

According to the NYSDOH, symptoms of monkeypox can include

  • Rashes, bumps, or blisters on or around the genitals or in other areas like your hands, feet, chest, or face.
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all.

By Brett Levine

Photo:  (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)