Monkeypox vaccine clinics in Monroe County soon

Rochester, New York – As soon as next week, Monroe County is working on plans to administer monkeypox vaccinations.

This week, the county anticipates receiving 600 doses and plans to have clinics up and running as early as Monday. Dates, times and locations have not yet been announced.

With the vast majority in New York City, New York state has 679 confirmed monkeypox cases. Monroe County has four confirmed cases.

In order to be eligible for vaccination, individuals must be:

• A gay or bisexual male, a man who has sex with men, and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary AND
• Age 18 or older AND
• Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days

Those who meet those criteria are strongly encouraged to consider vaccination if:

• Their partners are showing symptoms of monkeypox, such as a rash or sores
• They’ve met recent partners through online applications or social media platforms, or at clubs, raves, sex parties, saunas, or other large gatherings
• They have a condition that may increase their risk for severe disease if infected with the monkeypox virus

Vaccination is not recommended for those already diagnosed with monkeypox.

Those who are notified as being a close contact will be provided an opportunity to be vaccinated.