Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus in the Orthopoxvirus genus. Public health officials have made a vaccine available as a key measure for prevention and outbreak control, focusing on protecting individuals at higher risk of exposure. Understanding who is eligible and where to access the vaccine is important for public safety.
Determining Your Eligibility
Eligibility for the mpox vaccine is generally divided into two categories: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP involves vaccinating individuals who have a higher chance of future exposure due to their lifestyle, occupation, or community transmission rates. This proactive approach aims to prevent the disease before contact occurs.
The groups prioritized for PrEP often include gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary individuals, and people whose sexual networks involve a higher risk of transmission. This includes those who have recently had multiple sex partners, a new diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection, or who anticipate having sex at a commercial sex venue. Occupational exposure, such as for certain laboratory workers who handle orthopoxviruses, also qualifies.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is offered to people who have already had known or suspected contact with someone diagnosed with mpox. The vaccine can be administered to reduce the likelihood of infection or lessen the severity of the illness. For the best chance of preventing the disease, the vaccine should be given within four days of exposure. If administered between four and fourteen days after exposure, it may still help reduce symptoms, though it may not prevent the infection entirely.
Finding Vaccination Sites
Finding a location to receive the mpox vaccine requires checking resources at the state and local levels, as distribution is managed regionally. The most direct approach is to contact your local or state public health department, as they oversee vaccine allocation and can provide the most current list of available clinics. Availability can fluctuate based on local demand and supply, making these government sources the most reliable.
Vaccines are often administered at local public health clinics, specialized sexual health clinics, and sometimes at designated community vaccination events. In densely populated areas, some hospitals and retail pharmacies have also been involved in the distribution efforts. To locate a site, you can check your state health department’s website or utilize national resources, which often direct you to local vaccine finders.
Local health officials tailor their strategies to meet community needs, so vaccination sites may vary significantly from one county or state to the next. You should contact a potential provider directly, such as a local pharmacy or health clinic, to confirm that they have the JYNNEOS vaccine in stock and to schedule an appointment.
Understanding the JYNNEOS Vaccine
The vaccine used for mpox prevention in the United States is called JYNNEOS, which is a two-dose vaccine developed to protect against both mpox and smallpox. This vaccine uses a weakened, non-replicating form of the vaccinia virus, meaning it cannot cause a full infection and is safe for most people, including those with weakened immune systems. The full two-dose series is recommended for maximum protection against the virus.
The second dose of JYNNEOS should be administered four weeks, or 28 days, after the first dose. While some protection may begin after the first shot, the highest level of immunity is achieved about two weeks following the second dose. If you miss the four-week window, you should still get the second dose as soon as possible, as there is no need to restart the series.
The vaccine is typically given either as a standard subcutaneous injection (into the fat layer beneath the skin) or as a smaller-volume intradermal injection (between the layers of the skin). The most common side effects are usually mild and confined to the injection site, including pain, redness, and itching. Some individuals may also experience systemic symptoms like headache, fatigue, or muscle aches, which are temporary signs that the immune system is building protection.
Access and Cost Considerations
The mpox vaccine doses used in the U.S. were purchased by the federal government and distributed to state and local health departments. Because of this federal procurement, the vaccine product itself is generally provided to eligible patients at no cost.
While the vaccine dose is free, the provider administering the shot may be permitted to charge an administration fee for the service. Federal programs and most private health insurance plans are mandated to cover these administration fees without any out-of-pocket cost to the patient. If you are concerned about potential fees or do not have health insurance, you should contact your local health department or the vaccination site. Access should not be denied based on an inability to pay the administration fee.