In light of concerns that celebrations for the yearly event may lead to an increase in cases, New York City officials have come under fire for a failed rollout of moneypox vaccines for at-risk gay and bisexual males just two days before Pride.
It comes as the virus that causes rashes has been found in roughly 30 cases in the five boroughs, almost all of which have affected men who have had same-sex relationships.
Following an unexpected announcement from municipal officials on Twitter about the rollout, which was already underway, hundreds of individuals were seen waiting in line for their shot outside the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic on Thursday afternoon.
However, after an overwhelming response caused officials’ supplies to run short, residents were soon turned away, prompting retaliation from at-risk men who had lined up for their first dosage of the two-part shot.
Even the fortunate handful who did receive a shot on Thursday won’t be completely protected against monkeypox if they attend the festivities this weekend, according to critics who claim that the jab should have been distributed earlier.
One of these citizens spoke to CBS on Thursday and expressed concerns about a potential spike in cases over the weekend.
He asserted, “I believe that many gay men in New York have been monitoring it more closely than our heterosexual colleagues.”
“I think that many of us had heard stories of a friend of a friend who got monkeypox — and it felt there was a sense that, if we didn’t get the vaccine now, especially since we’re going to see so many friends this weekend at pride,” says the author.
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene wrote just after 12 p.m., “Starting TODAY, we are offering vaccination to eligible New Yorkers who may have been exposed to monkeypox.”
However, the demand quickly outstripped the city’s capacity, forcing officials to cancel the program hours after it had begun.
At 1:57, the agency wrote: ‘Due to excessive demand, we will no longer be able to accommodate walk-ins today. Check back on Sunday for additional appointments. ‘
It noted that all appointments for a first dosage of the two-dose Jynneos vaccination were filled through Monday.
The decision saw hundreds of New Yorkers that fit the city conditions for the shot – gay, bisexual, and other males who have sex with men’ who are 18 or over and had had ‘many or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days – turned away.
Monkeypox vaccinations will continue to be offered at the clinic between 11am and 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, the said.
Just 1,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine were in the city’s supply prior to the somewhat unplanned deployment – but city officials claimed they are working with the CDC to request more from the federal government.
They have not specified how they are determining whether patients have had several sexual partners or had sex with guys, although this is probably done by asking them questions.
Patients receive two injections of the weakened virus-based Jynneous vaccine, spaced 28 days apart.
Health officials claim that because the two viruses are similar and were developed to combat smallpox, they can also be used to combat monkeypox.
The Department announced that it had run out of appointments today and hoped to add more soon.
We are attempting to increase our capacity citywide and are in discussions with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to obtain more doses.
One of the first cities in America to begin more broadly distributing monkeypox vaccines is New York.
Close family members of confirmed cases of monkeypox had already been offered the vaccinations by the city, along with San Francisco and other cities.
Mayor Eric Adams, who made the announcement of the roll-out today, said: “As I have said since day one, we are prepared, not panicked, and this monkeypox vaccination site is one more crucial tool to keep New Yorkers healthy.
To stay safe and stop the spread of monkeypox, eligible New Yorkers can now get immunized beginning today.
Nearly half of America’s states have now reported 156 cases of the virus nationwide.
But experts worry that many more cases are currently going undiagnosed because they were mistaken for other illnesses or because testing is difficult to access.
Out of all the major cities in the country, New York City has the worst outbreak.
California has the largest outbreak at the state level, with 40 cases, followed by Illinois and New York, each with 19.
In an effort to hasten diagnosis and control measures, the Biden administration today announced it was distributing swabs for the disease to private laboratories.
It happens as major cities across America prepare for this weekend’s additional Pride celebrations.
Health officials in Chicago have announced that they will place a “special emphasis” on Pride in their warnings this weekend and have printed flyers to be distributed at events on how to avoid getting monkeypox.
San Francisco has also announced that it will issue “public service announcements” to remind people to stay safe during Pride in the City, which is anticipated to draw crowds of more than 500,000.
The majority of those who have monkeypox experience a moderate infection that goes away in four weeks.
However, data indicate that one in 100 infected individuals will develop a fatal illness.
The disease is mainly spread by direct personal contact with contagious skin sores or by touching items of clothing or bedding that have been in close proximity to a patient.
According to the CDC, it may also occasionally spread through’sustained’ face-to-face contact.
Before the rash spreads to the rest of the body, infected individuals frequently suffer rashes around the vaginal and anal areas as a first sign. They might even get flu-like symptoms.