Mpox Information

Mpox is a virus that can cause a painful rash. It spreads mostly through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, especially sexual contact. It can also be spread by touching items that someone with mpox has touched. Anyone can get mpox, but men who have sex with men and people who have multiple sexual partners have been more likely to get mpox.

To protect yourself:

• If you think you might be at risk for getting mpox, ask health services staff about getting vaccinated
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid skin-to-skin and sexual contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox
• Don’t share eating utensils, cups, bowls, or personal items
• Don’t share bed linens, towels, or clothes

Vaccination:

Mpox is caused by a virus that is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox. JYNNEOS is a 2-dose vaccine that was developed to protect against both mpox and smallpox. Vaccination is an important tool in preventing the spread of mpox, however people who are vaccinated should continue to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has mpox.

The Jefferson County Department of Health currently offers mpox vaccines for persons who meet the following criteria:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox
• You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
• You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
  • Sex in exchange for money or other items
• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure from any of the above scenarios
• You work in settings where you may be exposed to mpox
• You work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory

Mpox vaccinations are not currently recommended for internation travel, and the Jefferson County Department of Health will not administer the vaccines for the purpose of international travel.

Persons looking for mpox vaccines for international travel can inquire with local pharmacies for the vaccine.

Vaccine appointments can be made here or by calling (205) 588-5234.