A health care worker prepares to administer a vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox this month in Wilton Manors, Fla. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
High demand for the monkeypox vaccine in New York City caused the appointment system to crash on Tuesday, according to the city's health department.
Driving the news: The website delivered error messages to many people because of "overwhelming traffic" as soon as it opened up to the public, the NYC Health Department said. There are now no appointments available and "vaccine supply remains low," per the health department website.
What they're saying: "This is just further proof that demand is very high, and we will continue working to make vaccine available," the NYC Health Department said in a statement.
- "We apologize for the frustration caused and are working to build stable appointment infrastructure as we roll out more appointments as vaccine supply increases in the coming weeks," the department added.
The big picture: As of Wednesday, 336 people in New York City had tested positive for orthopoxvirus, the group of viruses that include smallpox and monkeypox, according to the city's health department.
- The city has administered about 7,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine so far and is expecting 14,500 more doses this week, according to ABC News.
- Monkeypox typically presents itself through a rash or sores. While anyone can get or spread monkeypox, the NYC Health Department noted that it is currently spreading primarily among men who have sex with men.