New York: Authorities seem struggling to ensure monkeypox vaccines in New York City – which is believed to be the epicenter of the disease outbreak, as the demand for doses continues to outpace supply.
The true scope of the US outbreak is unknown as diagnostic testing is slow.
U.S. health officials said that more than 100,000 monkeypox vaccine doses are being sent to states in the next few days, and several million more are on order in the months ahead, They also acknowledged the vaccine supply hasn’t kept up with the demand seen in New York, California and other places.
The government is making appointments to cope with the disease amid increasing cases, as reports suggest that as many as 9,200 appointments were filled in just seven minutes when new doses became available Friday evening.
Governor Kathy Hochul says there are tens of thousands of additional doses on the way.US health officials say they do not have enough monkeypox vaccines to cope with increasing demand.
The point of concern is, that most confirmed cases have been among men who have sex with men, although anyone can be infected with the virus.
The federal government has distributed about 156,000 doses nationwide and expects to start shipping another 130,000 doses from Monday, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Earlier this week, New York city’s vaccinations website crashed as thousands of people tried to book vaccine appointments at once.
During a call on Tuesday with Biden administration officials, New York Mayor Eric Adams asked for the city to be allocated more doses.
According to the USA Today, Health care and LGBTQ leaders are warning monkeypox will continue to spread among gay men and other Americans if more isn’t done to address vaccine shortages and help health professionals combat the virus. They are demanding more testing kits, vaccines and additional health workers to limit the outbreak.
Health care and LGBTQ leaders are warning monkeypox will continue to spread among gay men and other Americans if more isn’t done to address vaccine shortages and help health professionals combat the virus. They are demanding more testing kits, vaccines and additional health workers to limit the outbreak.
The number of reported infections in 42 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, has climbed to 1,469 infected people, with California and Illinois counting more than 100 cases and New York leading with 414 cases.
A month ago the US had just 45 cases.
According to Eyewitness News, demand continues to outpace supply when it comes to the monkeypox vaccine in New York City, after 9,200 appointments were filled in just seven minutes when new doses became available Friday evening.
