Communities across New Jersey are taking steps to get vaccines in the arms of those who are at risk, as the number of monkeypox cases continue to rise throughout the country and in the state.

The monkeypox vaccine is available beginning today in Paramus at New Bridge Medical Center -- the only monkeypox vaccine site in Bergen County. The state also opened another site in Camden County at Cooper University Hospital. Vaccines are available by appointment. The same goes for the Paramus site as well.

“The community needs us to stand up and protect them,” says Deb Visconi, president and CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.

Visconi led Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s efforts to receive monkeypox vaccines. Now, they have 300 vaccines, offering 100 doses by appointment today. 

“It’s not at the level of COVID-19 but it certainly is in our community and it’s growing, and we just want to make sure that people are protected if they’re exposed or if they feel they are at risk,” says Visconi.

Ray Welsh works for Buddies of NJ, serving the HIV community. He says there are concerns in the LGBTQ community about the stigma surrounding the virus.

“The main reason I did it because I want to and example to others who might have been hesitant and be the first one out there and lead with example,” says Welsh.

There will be another round of vaccines on Wednesday at Bergen New Bridge.