HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDES UPDATE ON NEXT ROUND OF MONKEYPOX VACCINE STRATEGY

 

Appointments will be made available on the City’s vaccine portal: vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox and by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) beginning Thursday, August 4 at 6pm

 

Five new vaccine clinics to open in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan more than doubling City’s capacity to administer monkeypox vaccine

 The Health Department today provided an update on the next round of monkeypox vaccine appointments and new vaccine clinics. This week, the Department received approximately 32,000 doses of the JYNNEOS^TM vaccine. 23,000 new first dose appointments will go online on the City’s vaccine portal beginning Thursday, August 4 at 6pm. The remaining doses will be administered to those referred to vaccination from community partner organizations, health care providers, and reserved for close contacts of known cases.

 

The City will be adding 5 new vaccine clinics at:

• The Livonia (506 Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn)
• The Jefferson (1300 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn)
• Long Island City (5-17 46^th Road in Queens)
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings (686 New York Avenue in Brooklyn)
• NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur (227 Madison Street in Manhattan)

 

These sites will more than double the City’s current capacity to administer monkeypox vaccine. The Department will also be adding a clinic at Times Square (136 W. 42^nd Street) in the coming weeks. The vaccine clinics at the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic and the Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic already have appointments booked through the end of next week, so no new appointments will be added this week. Any monkeypox vaccine appointments already scheduled at these two sites will be honored. Equity remains central to the City’s vaccination strategy. The City continues to work with trusted community partners, health care facilities, and those that operate congregate settings to ensure that people at the highest risk have access to the vaccine. The City’s outreach teams have been on the ground to reach New Yorkers where they are, and starting this week, outreach staff will be able to book appointments directly for New Yorkers during these focused outreach activities.

 

To date, 79,000 doses have been received by New York City out of the approximately 131,000 doses that have been allocated to the City (these figure include 4,000 doses which New York State is re-distributing to the City from their most recent allocation). Of the 79,000 doses, more than 30,000 doses have already been administered in NYC so far, with an additional 7,000 doses already scheduled for the coming days. In addition, 23,000 new appointments will go online tomorrow. The remainder of the doses have been set aside for close contacts of known cases and for private health care providers and referrals from community partner organizations. The full vaccination course is two doses. New York City, however, is currently prioritizing first doses in an effort to protect as many members of the community as possible, as quickly as possible.

 

Based on current NYC vaccination eligibility criteria, up to 150,000 New Yorkers may be at risk for monkeypox exposure. 

 

Vaccine Clinic	Address	Borough
Science Skills Center High School [weekend only]	49 Flatbush Avenue Ext.	Brooklyn
IS 125 [weekend only]	46-02 47 Avenue	Queens
Bronx High School of Science [weekend only]	75 W 205th Street	Bronx
Chelsea Clinic	303 Ninth Avenue	Manhattan
Central Harlem Clinic	2238 Fifth Avenue	Manhattan
Corona Clinic	34-33 Junction Boulevard	Queens
The Livonia Clinic	506 Livonia Avenue	Brooklyn
The Jefferson Clinic	1300 Flushing Avenue	Brooklyn
Long Island City Clinic	5-17 46th Road	Queens
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Vanderbilt	165 Vanderbilt Avenue	Staten Island
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur	227 Madison Street	Manhattan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County	686 New York Avenue, T Building entrance at Clarkson Ave.	Brooklyn
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln	234 East 149th Street	Bronx

 

 

About monkeypox

In the current outbreak, the monkeypox virus:

• Is spreading mainly during oral, anal and vaginal sex and other intimate contact such as rimming, hugging, kissing, biting, cuddling and massage
• Can spread through direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus; from coming into contact with clothing, bedding, towels or other items they have used; and from prolonged face-to-face contact
• Spreads when people have symptoms, but experts are still studying whether it spreads before symptoms start or after they end
• May spread through semen, saliva, feces (poop) and other body fluids – experts are still studying whether this is possible. 

Symptoms

The most common symptom is a rash or sores that may look like pimples or blisters. The rash and sores may be all over the body or on certain parts, including around and inside the genitals, anus and mouth, and last for two to four weeks. The rash can be extremely itchy and painful and interfere with daily activities. Sores in the anus or urethra can make it hard to go to the bathroom. Some people also have flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever and fatigue. Complications from monkeypox infection include inflammation of the rectal lining (proctitis). Even after healing, people can have scarring in the areas where they had sores. We do not know if monkeypox causes long-term health problems. A person is contagious until all sores have healed, and a new layer of skin has formed, which can take two to four weeks.

 

Prevention and Care

While the current outbreak continues, the best way to protect yourself from monkeypox is to avoid sex and other intimate contact with multiple or anonymous partners. If you choose to have sex or other intimate contact, the following can help reduce your risk, even if you have been vaccinated:

• Reduce your number of partners, especially those you do not know or whose recent sexual history you do not know.
• Avoid sex parties, circuit parties and other spaces where people are having sex and other intimate contact with multiple people.
• Ask your partners whether they have monkeypox symptoms and about their recent sexual history. Remember, some people may not know they have monkeypox, especially if they have only mild symptoms or symptoms that may be confused with other conditions.
• Do not have sex or intimate contact with anyone who feels unwell, especially if they have a rash or sores or were recently exposed to monkeypox.
• If you choose to have sex or other intimate contact with someone while they are sick, cover all rashes and sores with clothing or sealed bandages. This may reduce spread from contact with the rash or sores, but other methods of transmission may still be possible.
• Since it may be possible the virus can be transmitted through semen, use latex condoms during sex.
• Do not share towels, clothing, fetish gear, sex toys or toothbrushes.
• Wash your hands, fetish gear and bedding. Sex toys should be washed after each use or sex act.

 

As more New Yorkers are diagnosed with monkeypox, it is crucial to seek care as soon as you notice a rash or sores. Call your health care provider immediately. If you do not have one, call 311 to get connected to an NYC Health + Hospitals location or to access H+H Virtual Express Care. You can also visit the NYC Health Map to find a provider near you. Care is available in NYC regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage or ability to pay.

  

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT QUALITY-OF-LIFE, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN DOWNTOWN FAR ROCKAWAY

 

Adams Administration Delivers 224 Affordable Homes, Street Safety Upgrades, New Pedestrian Space, Climate Resiliency and Flood Protection Measures

 

$234 Million Investment Delivers on Promise to Revitalize Downtown Far Rockaway and Provide Critical Improved Infrastructure for Local Residents — Completed Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today marked the completion of two major projects transforming downtown Far Rockaway with 224 affordable homes and major infrastructure upgrades enhancing street safety, climate resiliency, and quality of life completed ahead of schedule. Together, the two projects brought $234 million in investment to downtown Far Rockaway — delivering on key commitments from the “Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action,” a comprehensive plan released in 2016 to revitalize the neighborhood and improve quality of life for local residents.

 

“These projects exemplify what it means for New York to become a ‘City of Yes,’” said Mayor Adams. “This is the kind of community-led and community-supported investment we want to see more of and a prime example of government working the right way for the people of this city — getting this done ahead of schedule and under budget. Today is a great day for the Rockaways and another great day of ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

 

“I am so proud to stand with Mayor Adams and the multiple city agencies who worked collaboratively and efficiently to complete this transformative project that will reinvigorate the Far Rockaway community,” said First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo.

 

“Our city’s economic comeback is driven by our mayor’s strategic investments in neighborhoods that have historically been left behind,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “The city is delivering on promises made to Far Rockaway today with transformative affordable housing, green infrastructure, and streetscape projects that make the area safer and more attractive to residents and businesses. My thanks to the city agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders involved in making the community’s vision a reality.”

 

Led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the $120 million project — called Beach 21^st — transformed vacant city-owned land into a new, 100-percent affordable, mixed-use development project with 224 affordable homes near the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station. Supporting access to vital transit, daycare, and jobs, the building offers apartments affordable to New Yorkers earning between 40 and 80 percent of area median income, with 23 homes with on-site services reserved for New Yorkers who formerly experienced homelessness. The building includes on-site laundry, a fitness room, and a rooftop terrace with a walking track, as well as approximately 28,000 square feet of retail and community space, including a day care center.

 

Carried out by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the $114 million infrastructure project was originally estimated to cost $139 million and require seven years, then promised to the community in three years, and now has been delivered three months ahead of the promised three-year schedule and $25 million under budget. The project includes critical street safety improvements, including the addition of more sidewalks, new landscaping, and green infrastructure. It also includes upgrades to 25 blocks of stormwater draining to help reduce the flooding risk from heavy rain. A new, 15,000-foot pedestrian plaza will offer community space maintained by DOT, the Rockaway East Merchants Association, and the Horticultural Society of New York for events, seating, greenery, bike racks, and a public restroom.

 

In total, the work included:

• More than two miles of new storm sewers and 88 new catch basins to alleviate flooding,
• More than two miles of new curbs,
• 101,000 square feet of new sidewalks,
• 10,000 feet of existing sanitary sewers replaced with new pipes,
• 10,000 feet of aging water mains replaced with new pipes, and
• A net gain of 71 new trees for the neighborhood.

 

The infrastructure project received the Award for Excellence in Design from the New York City Public Design Commission in 2017. DDC is also building the new Far Rockaway Library for Queens Public Library in the same community, which is anticipated to open next year.

 

These critical improvements were informed and supported by the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group, a team of community members, businesses, and nonprofits, along with local and state elected officials. They created the Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action in 2016, which spurred a rezoning that prioritized affordable housing and support for area businesses.

 

“Resilient and sustainable housing is key to moving New York City forward,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “As we continue to tackle dual crises in climate change and a housing shortage, projects like this — which came from the Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action — will help us design a stronger city where all New Yorkers have access to safe, secure, and affordable homes.”

 

“These projects represent a significant investment in the future of downtown Far Rockaway, and the new storm sewers and rain gardens will help to alleviate street flooding and protect nearby wetlands,” said Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Thank you to our partners at DDC, DOT, and EDC, and a special thank you to Borough President Donovan Richards for his advocacy and funding contribution as we work to improve the quality of life for residents and area businesses. Together, we are making downtown Far Rockaway a more resilient neighborhood.”

 

“NYCEDC worked with the community, our city partners, and The Community Builders to transform vacant city-owned land at Beach 21^st Street into a new mixed-use development that supports affordable housing and access to vital transit, day care, and jobs,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “The project further delivers on the mayor’s commitment to an inclusive economic recovery. We thank the mayor, our city partners, the local elected officials, and community members for working with us to prioritize affordability and quality-of-life improvements for New Yorkers who call the peninsula home.”

 

“Since the launch of the downtown Far Rockaway plan, HPD has financed nearly 2,000 affordable homes in this neighborhood alongside additional city investments in much-needed infrastructure improvements and job creation,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “With a daycare center, retail space, and access to a new pedestrian plaza, Beach 21^st Street leverages spaces in affordable housing to meet community needs. Thank you to our many partners, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, The Community Builders, and all of the city agencies, whose efforts made today possible.”

 

“Today, we celebrate major investments in much-needed affordable housing, community, and retail space, as well as critical infrastructure improvements that will ensure lasting success for the Far Rockaway community,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Thanks to all our partners for their ongoing work to foster greater resiliency for this neighborhood and for their efforts to bring the Beach 21^st affordable housing development to completion.”

 

“This is a great day for Far Rockaway. These affordable units — when partnered with great community space and $114 million in streetscape improvements — represent a game-changing moment for this community,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “Congratulations to Borough President Donovan Richards, The Community Builders, and all of our partner agencies that helped to make this possible.”

 

“In fulfilling its pledge to the downtown Far Rockaway community, the Department of Design and Construction completed seven years’ worth of infrastructure work in less than three years and did so well under budget,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Above ground, the streetscape has been vastly improved, with new streets, curbs, and sidewalks, a new pedestrian plaza, and new bike lanes and green space. Below ground, the neighborhood now has more than two miles of modern storm sewers along with new catch basins and 10,000 feet of new water mains. We saved even more time using innovative solutions like our Early Completion pilot and by adding financial incentives at critical milestones to achieve schedule savings. These initiatives shaved months off the schedule, while providing upgraded sewers and streetscapes and allowing businesses to return to normal operations more quickly. Overall, it’s a remarkable transformation for a neighborhood that has been historically underserved and was heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy.”

“DOT is proud to join Mayor Adams and our sister agencies to celebrate an incredible project that has transformed downtown Far Rockaway with new affordable housing and greater flood capacity, as well as wider and more welcoming sidewalks and pedestrian spaces,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “I want to offer special congratulations to my former colleague, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who showed such leadership as he shepherded this bold and visionary plan as a member of the City Council. Along with our agency partners at DDC, DEP, and EDC, this was city government at its best: We together completed this project early and under budget — advancing equity as we worked closely alongside stakeholders in this community, who were deeply involved in the project’s planning and design.”

 

“Seven years ago, I convened the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group to develop a $288 million roadmap for this community’s revitalization and reverse decades of deliberate disinvestment. I could not be more proud of the life-changing progress we are delivering for the families of this neighborhood in the form of housing, open space, education, and beyond — it truly is a new day for Far Rockaway, where its residents are finally being heard loud and clear,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The culmination of this tireless work is the creation of thousands of affordable housing units — including the 224 affordable units being announced today, along with a day care and tens of thousands of feet of community space — along with $114 million worth of street safety and green infrastructure upgrades. It’s been one of the great honors of my career to bring this this game-changing project to life alongside the litany of community stakeholders, elected officials, and city agencies like EDC and HPD, as part of our collective push to rejuvenate one of our city’s most dynamic and diverse neighborhoods.”

 

“The Beach 21^st Street development led by The Community Builders is another shining example of the revitalization of Far Rockaway and the commitment the city is making to a more equitable place for all New Yorkers to be proud to call home,” said Kevin W. Alexander, president and CEO, Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation. “What continues to inspire my team is the effort The Community Builders, Mega Group, and Building Skills made in getting local residents trained and certified to be employed on the site during the darkest days of the pandemic. We look forward to working with The Community Builders in their newest role as a Far Rockaway community stakeholder.”

 

“JCC of the Rockaway Peninsula is proud to have been part of the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group, and we are truly humbled to see the community’s hard work come to fruition in the heart of downtown Far Rockaway,” said Allison Deal, executive director, Jewish Community Council (JCC) of the Rockaway Peninsula. “The revitalization of the Rockaways means a better community for all of us on the peninsula. We thank our partners in the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group, our local elected officials, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation.”

 

Long Island Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Mailing Threatening Letters to LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals

 

Defendant Mailed Letters Threatening Mass Shootings and Bombings of Individuals Affiliated with LGBTQ+ Organizations and Businesses

 Central Islip, United States District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced Robert Fehring to 30 months in prison for mailing more than 60 letters to LGBTQ+ affiliated individuals, organizations and businesses, many of which contained threats to kill, shoot, and bomb the recipients.  Fehring pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2022.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) announced the sentence.

“There is no room for hate in the Eastern District of New York. This sentence makes clear that threats to kill and commit acts of violence against the LGBTQ+ community will be met with significant punishment,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We will use the full power of our office to bring to justice those who threaten to kill or hurt people because of who they are, and to ensure everyone in our district is able to live authentically, safely and in peace.”

United States Attorney Peace also expressed his gratitude to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.    

“Robert Fehring made heinous threats against members of the LGBTQ+ community in locations throughout New York, including Suffolk County, for nearly eight years,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Harrison said. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our department’s Hate Crimes Unit detectives and the diligent work of our law enforcement partners, Fehring is being held accountable for his crimes. This sentence reiterates that hate and intolerance have no place in Suffolk County.” 

As set forth in the court filings and today’s proceeding, from at least 2013 to 2021, Fehring sent letters threatening violence to individuals associated with the LGBTQ+ community.  In those letters, Fehring threatened to, among other things, use firearms and explosives against the recipients.  Two such letters threatened that there would be an attack on an LGBTQ+ event in Huntington, New York that would be like the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.  Another letter threatened that radio-controlled explosives would be planted at a beach club in Long Beach, New York that had hosted a LGBTQ+ event.  In another letter sent in June 2018, Fehring threatened the operators of a water ferry service from Sayville to Fire Island, New York that they should “screen everyone coming on board with a metal detector” and that “a thorough search of your boats would be in order.”

Fehring also sent a threatening letter to the owners of the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan and an African American-owned barbershop affiliated with the LGTBQ+ community in Brooklyn.  The letter to the Stonewall Inn stated, “we will blow up/burn your establishments down.  We will shoot those who frequent your dens of [expletives].”  The letter to the barbershop purported to be from “People Who Hate Gays ... and In Particular [n-word] Gays and stated, “your shop is the perfect place for a bombing ... or beating the scum that frequents your den of [expletive] into a bloody pool of steaming flesh.” 

On November 18, 2021, the FBI Civil Rights Squad and the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant at Fehring’s home in Bayport, New York, and recovered copies of letters containing threats, supplies used to mail threatening letters, 20 LGBTQ+ Pride flags that were stolen from flagpoles in Sayville, New York in July 2021, and reconnaissance-style photographs from the Eisenhower Park Pride event.  The FBI also recovered electronic devices owned by Fehring that contained internet searches for Fehring’s victims and related LGBTQ+ affiliated events and businesses.  Law enforcement officers also recovered from Fehring’s residence two loaded shotguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, two stun guns, and a stamped envelope addressed to an LGBTQ+ affiliated attorney containing the remains of a dead bird.

At Fehring’s sentencing hearing, six victims addressed the Court and described the fear that Fehring’s threats instilled in them. 

Statement from Comptroller Brad Lander on City Hall’s Announcement to Open Up $150M For Schools in Federal Stimulus and Budget Appeals Money

 

 Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement in response to an announcement from City Hall and the Department of Education regarding budget flexibility for schools:

“Giving principals flexibility to decide how they want to use $100 million in Federal stimulus funds that the DOE had already allocated to their schools back in June – for tutoring, to prevent class size increases, for arts, or a guidance counselor to support struggling students—is a logical step. Accelerating the access to appeals funding that DOE usually holds in reserve until the fall will also ease some principals’ anxiety.

“But it doesn’t make sense to still maintain a more than $300 million cut to schools when the DOE has an additional $500 million in unspent Federal stimulus funds for education to roll over from last year. With just a month remaining before the first day of school, hundreds of principals have already painfully eliminated arts and music programming, re-shuffled teachers and consolidated classes, and excised guidance counselors and support staff.

“There’s no need to impose budget challenges on our principals, teachers, students, and schools, in this moment when they are still struggling to recover and there is ample money to cover the budget losses.”

The Comptroller’s Office analysis found that the cuts to Fair Student Funding facing individual schools due to enrollment decline projections total $469 million. The Comptroller’s year-end review of school stimulus spending identified $505.6 million in unspent, uncommitted FY 2022 federal stimulus funds for education.

Governor Hochul Announces Latest Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution Following Phase 3 Federal Allotment of Doses for New York State and New York City

 

Governor Also Announces New York State Department of Health will Launch New Monkeypox Vaccine Equity Effort

Governor's Monkeypox Presentation Charts Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the latest round of the JYNNEOS vaccine that will be distributed to local health departments. To ensure all vaccine allotments across the country are being put to optimal use, the Phase 3 allocations are being divided by the federal government into three installments and delivered as the states administer vaccines. The first installment for the New York State Department of Health will be made up of 11,840 vaccines (or 40 percent of the Phase 3 total allocation to New York State). New York City will receive approximately 32,000 doses in the first installment of Phase 3, sent directly to the city health department from the federal government.

"We continue to distribute more monkeypox vaccines to communities across New York State as we build on our ongoing aggressive efforts to confront this public health emergency head on," Governor Hochul said. "This latest allocation from the federal government will help us reach and protect more people, and we will continue to work around the clock to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity, responsibly educate the public, and protect those most at-risk."

NYSDOH also remains strongly committed to an equitable distribution of vaccine, and eligibility remains focused on individuals with known or likely exposure in areas with the highest number of cases. As part of this effort, 1,000 doses will be designated to launch a new pilot program with AIDS Institute partner providers to ensure equitable access to vaccines and target underserved populations.

On Friday, the Governor welcomed federal plans to send approximately 110,000 more vaccines to New York State and New York City in Phase 3 of the federal distribution, with the State getting 30,000 of these doses in the coming weeks through three separate ordering stages. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be getting approximately 80,000 doses over the same time period.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "We continue to work aggressively to ensure New Yorkers have the tools needed to slow this outbreak and protect themselves, including equitable access to vaccine, testing, and treatment, as well as, the information needed to understand the virus, identify symptoms, and reduce risk to exposure. With these tools, New Yorkers can protect themselves and their loved ones from this painful virus."

Of the 11,840 doses allocated to New York State from the federal government in installment 1 of Phase 3, a total of 4,020 will be distributed to Suffolk County; 860 to Erie County; 600 to Onondaga County; 500 to Albany County; 500 to Monroe County; 80 to Rockland County; 80 to Sullivan County. Another 4,000 doses will be allocated to New York City, which has the vast majority of cases in the state. Certain counties that received allocations in prior phases are still in the process of distributing and administering Phase 2 allotments and will not receive more vaccines at this time. The department will also reserve 200 for cases in counties not yet identified.  

In accordance with CDC guidance advising Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for the current Monkeypox outbreak, those already exposed or likely to have been exposed are prioritized in the State allocation to counties.

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 members of the gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming community and other communities of men 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.

Today's announcement builds on New York State's ongoing response efforts on monkeypox, including efforts to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity, and distribute the latest information and resources to New Yorkers. Last week, Governor Hochul issued an Executive Order declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.  The Executive Order enables the state to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated. The Executive Order specifically extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer monkeypox vaccines, including EMS personnel, pharmacists and midwives; allows physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non patient specific standing orders for vaccines; and requires providers to send vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health. 

Recently, Governor Hochul announced that the federal government had secured an additional 110,000 vaccine doses, resulting in a total of 170,000 doses to New Yorkers to date. Governor Hochul and the Department of Health are continuing their ongoing coordination with White House, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR) to ensure that New York continues to receive its fair share of vaccine supply as soon they are available, especially for those New Yorkers in communities with high transmission rates. 

Last week, New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett declared monkeypox an Imminent Threat to Public Health (ITPH) in New York State. Earlier this month, NYSDOH launched a new SMS-text notification effort to deliver the latest monkeypox information directly to New Yorkers. New Yorkers can sign up for text messages—which will include alerts about cases, symptoms, spread, and resources for testing and vaccination—by texting "MONKEYPOX" to 81336 or "MONKEYPOXESP" for texts in Spanish. By providing a zip code, New Yorkers can also opt-in for location-based messages.   

NYSDOH's dedicated website, which stays updated with the latest information, 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. NYSDOH has also engaged in a paid, digital advertising campaign to get information to communities experiencing higher rates of monkeypox cases. 

In addition to public outreach, the New York State Department of Health continues to focus on distributing vaccines to communities. Local county health departments that have received supply are administering the vaccine directly and establishing their own appointment processes. Working in partnership with counties, New Yorkers who sign-up for location-based alerts may receive alerts on vaccine availability, clinic locations, scheduling, and other monkeypox-related updates specific to their area. 

Earlier this month, NYSDOH, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH), hosted a Monkeypox Town Hall for community leaders led by State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett and City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.    

For more information about monkeypox, including case counts by county, treatment, and care, visit health.ny.gov/monkeypox.

New Yorkers can learn more about New York State's first vaccine allocation from the federal government here and the second allocation ("2A") here and ("2B") here.