The White House is stepping up its efforts to fight the monkeypox virus after declaring it a public health emergency. The federal government is actively exploring different treatment options and vaccine rollouts.

The monkeypox outbreak has been declared a public health emergency on the city, state and national level. Officials are now working around the clock to treat the disease as cases continue to climb.

More vaccines, on the other hand, have become available, as Thursday saw 23,000 appointments were booked and are expected to be filled this weekend.

New York City remains the epicenter of this outbreak as the Department of Health reported 6,600 cases of monkeypox -- approximately 1,630 of those cases are in the city alone.

The Big Apple has opened five new vaccine clinics, with three being located in Brooklyn at Livonia, Jefferson and Kings County Hospital. In the Bronx, the only two sites opened at the Bronx High School of Science and Lincoln Hospital.

The city estimated about 150,000 new Yorkers are at risk for monkeypox exposure. The government also provided an update on the vaccine rollout and the progress it has made so far.

There are no more appointments through the Department of Health. However, more should be available soon as the federal government says they have secured nearly seven million doses so far and will continue to roll them out as quickly as possible.