Monkeypox vaccine and testing info is available

As the New York health department released figures showing the Bronx has nearly 15 percent of all monkeypox cases in the city, the borough president’s office informed residents about vaccination and test sites.

The latest figures show the city has 2,375 cases of the virus, with 310 from the Bronx. This compares to 917 in Manhattan, 472 in Brooklyn, 276 in Queens, and 13 in Staten Island.

It is believed up to 150,000 New York City residents may be at risk of catching the virus, according to the health department.

A recent roundtable discussing the outbreak included Dr. Madhuray Ray, the health department’s data and analytics for child care director. Also there was Sean Coleman, founder and executive director of Destination Tomorrow, and Bronx deputy borough president Janet Peguero.

As of Aug. 3, New York City had received 79,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine of the 131,000 that had been allocated. Of those, more than 30,000 doses had been administered through online appointments at vaccine clinics.

In the Bronx, the two vaccine clinics are at Bronx High School of Science — 75 W. 205th St. — on the weekends, and the NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln at 234 E. 149th St., during the rest of the week.

Symptoms include a rash or sores that may look like pimples or blisters. They may appear all over the body and last for two to four weeks. Some people may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever and fatigue.

For more information about vaccines and testing, go to the online portal Vax4NYC.gov/monkeypox or call (877)-829-4692.