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Mpox

    Vaccine Clinics

    What is Mpox? 

    Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder and mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.

    Human monkeypox was given its name in 1958, before the publication of WHO’s best practices in naming diseases was published in 2015. According to the WHO’s best practices, new disease names should be given with the aim to minimize unnecessary negative impact of names on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare, and avoid causing offense to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups.

    In support of the November 28, 2022 recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC will adopt “mpox” as the term used to refer to monkeypox disease.

    Symptoms of Mpox

    • Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. These symptoms may occur before or after the rash appears, or not at all. 
    • A rash that
      • Can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other body parts like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. 
      • The rash goes through different stages before healing completely.
      • View examples of mpox rashes here.
    • The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

    How Mpox is Spread

    Mpox is spread through close, physical contact between individuals. This includes:

    • Direct contact with mpox sores or rashes on an individual who has mpox.
    • Respiratory droplets or oral fluids from someone with mpox, particularly for those who have close contact with someone or are around them for a long period of time.
    • It can also be spread through contact with objects or fabrics (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels) that have been used by someone with mpox.How mpox spreads

    Mpox Vaccine

    • JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) is a vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent mpox and can be used before and after exposure to mpox.
    • CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to mpox. 
    • JYNNEOS is given in a 2 dose series. Your 2nd dose of vaccine is due 28 days after your 1st dose. Individuals are considered to be fully vaccinated about 2 weeks after their 2nd dose of JYNNEOS.
    • If the vaccine is given before exposure or within 4 days of exposure, this vaccine may reduce the likelihood of infection, and within 14 days, it may reduce severity of symptoms.
    • ECDOH Mpox Vaccination Clinics 

    Current Vaccine Eligibility 

    Vaccination before exposure to mpox:

    • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people who in the past 6 months have had:
    • A new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted diseases (i.e., acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
    • More than one sex partner
    • People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue
    • Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring
    • Sexual partners of people with the above risks
    • People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
    • People in certain occupational exposure risk groups (People at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses include research laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses, clinical laboratory personnel performing diagnostic testing for orthopoxviruses, and orthopoxvirus and health care worker response teams designated by appropriate public health and antiterror authorities. (see ACIP recommendations).

    Vaccination after exposure to mpox:

    • People who are known contacts to someone with mpox who are identified by public health authorities, for example via case investigation, contact tracing, or risk exposure assessment
    • People who are aware that a recent sex partner within the past 14 days was diagnosed with mpox
    • Certain gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender or nonbinary people, who have had any of the following within the past 14 days: sex with multiple partners (or group sex); sex at a commercial sex venue; or sex in association with an event, venue, or defined geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring
    • Individuals with recent exposure to a suspected or confirmed mpox case, within the past 14 days, should call the ECDOH Epidemiology Office at 716-858-7697.

    Vaccine Clinics

    Monday - Friday 
    9:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Jesse Nash Health Center
    608 William St
    Buffalo, NY 14206
    Call 716-858-7687 for an appointment.  Walk-ins welcome; appointments highly recommended.

    More information about Mpox Vaccine

    Prevention

    • Ask your sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with mpox.
    • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
    • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox. 
    • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox. 
    • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox. 
    • Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox. 
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
    • In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread mpox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched. 
    • If you are sick with mpox: 
      • Isolate at home 
      • If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible.

    Resources

    For Healthcare Providers

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