© 2024 WSHU
NPR News & Classical Music
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We received reports that some iPhone users with the latest version of iOS (v17.4) cannot play audio via the Grove Persistent Player.
While we work to fix the issue, we recommend downloading the WSHU app.

Long Island announces next round of monkeypox vaccinations

Dr. Jonathan Buscaglia, Chief Medical Officer at Stony Brook University Hospital
Office of Suffolk County Executive
Dr. Jonathan Buscaglia, Chief Medical Officer at Stony Brook University Hospital

As cases continue to rise, an additional 2,800 doses of the monkeypox vaccine are headed to Long Island. Suffolk and Nassau counties have each seen five cases.

About 1,000 doses will be distributed to Nassau County and Suffolk County will receive 1,800 doses of the vaccine. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said the health department has partnered with local systems to fight the virus.

“We are confident that through our vaccination efforts, the partnerships here with Northwell Health and Stony Brook University Hospital, that we will be able to contain the spread of the virus and keep our residents safe,” Bellone said.

  • About 525 doses will be distributed at Northwell Health Physician Partners at Cherry Grove on Fire Island from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
  • Northwell will also offer 250 doses at the Northwell Health Community Center in the Westfield Mall in Bay Shore from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on July 27.
  • Stony Brook Medicine will host five clinics distributing 615 doses at the Edie Windsor Healthcare Center in Hampton Bays, between July 25 and Aug. 3.

Over 1,300 shots have already been distributed on Long Island. The vaccine is administered in two doses four weeks apart.
Stony Brook University Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jonathan Buscaglia said medical staff should remain on high alert for patients with symptoms.

“Although we are not in a pandemic with monkeypox, we certainly need to remain vigilant,” Buscaglia said. “Specifically we need to remain on high alert for patients who present with rash-like illnesses and fever. This is regardless of whether they’ve traveled recently out of the country and whether they have any known monkeypox special risk factors such as their sexual orientation.”

Men who have sex with other men are at higher risk for contracting the virus, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The World Health Organization decide whether to declare a “global health emergency" as 63 countries have reported 9,200 cases of monkeypox. According to WHO data, most infections have been reported in men of young age who have sex with men — many are in or near big cities.

In New York, only men who have multiple or anonymous sexual partners will qualify for the vaccine. Suffolk and Nassau counties report at least five cases each.

More information about vaccine eligibility and availability can be found at suffolkcountyny.gov/monkeypox.

Molly is a reporter covering Connecticut. She also produces Long Story Short, a podcast exploring public policy issues across Connecticut.