The White House’s pandemic team met with New York City and New York state health officials today to discuss the vaccine strategy and testing for the monkeypox virus.

There are more than 600 confirmed cases of monkeypox around the country. More than 100 of those cases are in New York City.

White House doctors said that the United States is getting over 4 million doses of the vaccine over the next year, and 8,195 of those will be shipped to New York. Nearly 6,000 of that batch will be coming to the five boroughs.

Monkeypox is typically spread through direct contact with the rash or sores of someone who has the virus, but it can also spread through clothing.

Anyone can contract the virus, but health officials say many cases are being identified among gay and bisexual men. However, gay and bisexual men statistically get tested more often, so officials say that could contribute to the number of cases.

Central Harlem officials announced that a new temporary vaccine site would open up today when the officials meet and speak to the public. This is all happening as New Yorkers are having trouble booking an appointment to get vaccinated.

Health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan addressed these issues today saying, "We've reserved a subset of our vaccine supply for community-based organizations and for providers to high-risk populations like HIV providers so that they can make direct referrals to get people vaccinated. But again, we're in an environment of really restricted supply. And so, you know we are estimating this was the best, fastest way to get out the door."

Health officials also addressed a suggestion that a person could have monkeypox and be asymptomatic, but they say this has not been the case for the overwhelming majority of cases so far.

The World Health Organization says only three people have died from the virus so far this year.