More than 8,000 additional doses of the monkeypox vaccine is being allocated to New York state from the federal government, while New York is receiving more than 23,000 doses in order to cutrail the spread of the virus, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday said. 

And, after the vaccine was initially distributed in one upstate county, more doses to heading to other areas of the state, Hochul's office announced. But at the same time, Hochul acknowledged the state is not getting nearly enough doses of the monkeypox vaccine relative to the number of confirmed cases.

Further distribution of the vaccine has come amid criticism from state lawmakers and LGBTQ advocates that the response from public health officials has been too slow to handle the spread of monkeypox.  

'While the national supply remains limited, we will continue our efforts to confront this outbreak with the urgency needed to ensure that New York receives its fair share of vaccines and protect our most vulnerable communities," she said. 

The state is being allocated 8,822 doses by the federal government. After initially sending doses only to Saratoga County in upstate New York, there will be 600 sent to Erie County, 600 to Monroe County, and 300 to Saratoga County under this current distribution. Albany County, which has announced its first case of monkeypox on Tuesday, will receive 40 doses. 

The rest will be distributed in downstate communities, with 2,000 going to New York City. 

Hochul's office added 100 of Saratoga County's 300 doses will be taken from those previously reserved by the Department of Health. 

Those eligible for the vaccine include people who have had exposure to monkeypox within the last 14 days, people who are at high risk of exposure, including members of the LGBTQ communities and people who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone who is experiencing signs of monkeypox. That includes men who have had sex with men after seeking partners online or meeting at social events.