New York City health officials report the number of confirmed monkeypox cases nearly doubled in the last five days. Lines for vaccinations stretch for blocks.
Health officials in New York City reported 618 people tested positive for orthopoxvirus as of July 18 and that all of these are likely to be monkeypox. This is up from 336 cases reported on July 13.
“Vaccine supply remains low,” officials stated. “NYC is receiving a limited number of doses from the federal government, and we are making them available to New Yorkers as quickly as possible.”
Officials added that there are no appointments currently available. “We will make more appointments available as we receive more supply.”
The lack of appointments did not stop people from lining up for blocks on Sunday in anticipation of less than 1,400 doses of the monkeypox vaccine, independent journalist Karen Yi reported.