Health Emergency: LOFT Adds Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics In Westchester

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — With monkeypox now officially a public health emergency in New York, the LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center will host more free monkeypox vaccination clinics in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Health.

Appointments for the first two clinics were filled within hours.

"The really good news is that our community is taking this seriously and getting inoculated," said said LOFT Executive Director Judy Troilo. "We know there are many more in the community still waiting to get vaccinated and we are working as quickly as possible to meet this demand. We are truly grateful to be partnering with the Westchester County Department of Health — they have been well organized and highly responsive in meeting our community's needs."

The next clinics are scheduled for Aug. 11 and 18 for adults age 18 and above. They are strictly for first-dose inoculations only. Information on the second dose will be given to each vaccinated person after their first dose.

The LOFT strongly encourages any and all members of the community who believe they are at risk to get vaccinated immediately, officials said. To learn more about the virus, click here.

As of July 29, there were 5,189 confirmed cases of monkeypox/orthopoxvirus in the USA, found in all but three states, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most affected were New York, with 1,345 cases and California, with 799 cases. In the Hudson Valley, the New York Health Department reported cases in four counties:

• Dutchess: 3
• Orange: 3
• Rockland: 4
• Westchester: 36

The monkeypox's rapid global spread has many local officials, as well as their worldwide counterparts, concerned the virus soon could be "uncontainable." In late July, World Health Organization officials declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

Thursday, Gov. Kathy 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.
New York State's 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 nonpatient-specific standing orders for vaccines; and requires providers to send vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health.

Most cases have been among men who have sex with men, although health officials stress that anyone can contract the virus.

If you are unsure whether you need the vaccine or have questions related to your health, please consult with your physician or medical practitioner.

His patients have many questions about the disease, said Dr. Barry S. Zingman, attending physician at the Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center at Nyack Montefiore Hospital, which offers LGBTQ+-dedicated services to the lower Hudson Valley and Bergen County in New Jersey. In a blog post, he addresses how it spreads, who is at risk, who should get the vaccine, and what happens when a person has monkeypox.

The World Health Organization, The CDC, and the New York Department of Health have all emphasized the importance of having people who are at risk be vaccinated. Monkeypox can be transmitted through simple skin contact when someone's skin rubs/brushes against an infected person's skin. Infection can also occur by touching infected clothing. Please note that it can also be transmitted via genital contact but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Condoms, dental dams, PrEP, birth control, microbicide lubricants, and antibiotics typically used to treat STIs will not protect a person from infection.