Suffolk Offers Mpox Vaccines at Pop-up Clinics This Summer
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will give mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) vaccines at pop-up clinics throughout the summer, the county announced on Friday.
Although mpox cases are low in Suffolk and New York State, summer festivals and gatherings pose a risk for infection, officials say. Mpox is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or fluids, although it is possible to contract it by touching objects, such as clothes, that are contaminated.
“Preventive measures are available to help us contain the spread of this virus in our communities and for that we are very grateful,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “We urge all residents and visitors to our county who are eligible to receive the mpox vaccine to take advantage of these free clinics.”
According to data, men who have sex with other men comprise the majority of individuals who have contracted mpox. Only 30% of those who are at highest risk in New York State have been vaccinated against the virus.
Health providers are required to report any suspected cases of mpox to their local health department.
“Our goal is prevention,” Dr. Gregson H. Pigott, Commissioner of Health Services for Suffolk County. “We ask healthcare providers to refer all patients who feel they may be at risk of contracting the infection to complete the two-dose Jynneos vaccination series.”
Suffolk County is partnering with Sun River Health and Stony Brook Medicine to administer the vaccines. These are the upcoming pop-up clinics:
Patchogue – June 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Patchogue-Medford Library
54-60 East Main St., Patchogue
Holbrook – June 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sachem Library
50 Holbrook Road, Holbrook
West Babylon – June 27, 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
West Babylon Library
211 Route 109, West Babylon
Riverhead – June 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Riverhead Library
330 Court Street, Riverhead, NY
Appointments can also be made directly with Stony Brook Medicine’s Edie Windsor Healthcare Center in Hampton Bays (631-287-5990) or at a Sun River Health location in Suffolk.
