Gov. Hochul declares state disaster emergency in response to monkeypox outbreak

The executive order enables the state to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated.

"After reviewing the latest data on the monkeypox outbreak in New York state, I am declaring a state disaster emergency to strengthen our aggressive ongoing efforts to confront this outbreak," Hochul said.

The executive order specifically extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer monkeypox vaccines, including EMS personnel, pharmacists and midwives; allows physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non patient specific standing orders for vaccines; and requires providers to send vaccine data to the state Department of Health.

Last week, Hochul announced that the state would receive an additional 110,000 vaccine doses from the federal government, boosting the number offered in New York to 170,000 to date.

The most common symptom of monkeypox is an itchy and painful rash that looks like pimples or blisters, which was reported in 99% of New York cases.

Health experts say to watch out for other symptoms too, like a fever or swollen lymph nodes.

The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. The vast majority of cases reported have been in men who have sex with men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.

Not everyone News 12 spoke to in Brooklyn say they feel the need to get vaccinated. However, those who do will face some wait time.

AP Wire Services contributed to this report.