Mpox Vaccine

Read below for information surrounding the mpox vaccine and resources for access in your area. For information about the mpox virus, visit our education page. To stay updated on mpox related research, policy, events and resources, visit our blog.

What vaccines for Mpox are available?

Two vaccines have been FDA approved to prevent mpox: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 (the smallpox vaccine). Right now, the JYNNEOS vaccine is being distributed for mpox prevention.

How do I know if I have antibodies that will protect me from the mpox virus?

If you have received the Smallpox vaccine (ACAM2000), you have antibodies that protect you against mpox, even if you received the 50 years ago.

The smallpox vaccine can often be identified through an indented scar at the injection site. This is not to be confused with the scar from the tuberculosis vaccine, which is often raised.

The smallpox vaccine ceased to be distributed in the United States in 1972, following the eradication of smallpox. However, many immigrants and individuals in the military continued to be vaccinated for smallpox after this date, in addition to some countries.

Please refer to your vaccine records to determine if you have received the smallpox vaccine.

More about the JYNNEOS vaccine:

The JYNNEOS vaccine contains a live, non-replicating virus. It has been FDAA approved since 2019. It consists of two doses with at least four weeks between each dose. A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks following their second dose.

It has no major risks associated with it, with side effects typical of other vaccines, such as soreness at the injection site.

The vaccine is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.

Those who are allergic to gentamicin, ciprofloxacin or egg protein are not recommended to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine.

More about the smallpox vaccine (ACAM2000):

ACAM2000 is the smallpox vaccine and is a live, replicating virus. It is administered through pricking into the skin’s surface. A lesion develops and must be covered until the scab falls off (7-14 days) as the live vacina virus within the lesion can be spread to other parts of the body and to other people. It is considered 85% effective against mpox.

You are considered vaccinated 28 days after receiving the vaccine.

People who are at risk with this vaccine include those who have:

  • Cardiac disease

  • Eye disease treated with topical steroids

  • Congenital or acquired immune deficiency disorders, including those taking immunosuppressive medications

  • People living with HIV (regardless of immune status)

  • Atopic dermatitis/eczema and persons with a history of atopic dermatitis/eczema or other acute or exfoliative skin conditions

  • Infants less than 12 months of age

  • Pregnancy

FDA’s guide for caring for the injection site.

Myth Busting

Myth: I had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, so I can’t get mpox.

The chickenpox virus and the mpox virus are not related. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and mpox is a variola virus. Mpox is however, related to smallpox, another variola virus. Therefore, chickenpox antibodies will not protect you from mpox.

Myth: I have a skin condition, so I can’t get the mpox vaccine.

There are two vaccines for mpox: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 (smallpox vaccine). JYNNEOS has very little risks associated with the vaccine, and side effects are typical of other vaccines. ACAM2000 is the smallpox vaccine, which has risks associated with it, including recommendations against use for people with eczema. Both vaccines are FDA approved to prevent mpox, however the JYNNEOS vaccine is currently being distributed and used for mpox vaccination. In the case that ACAM2000 is used, it is required of providers to inform you of risks and recommendations associated with the vaccine. If available to you, we encourage you to get vaccinated and speak to your provider about any concerns you might have.

Myth: Only gay people are getting mpox.

News surrounding mpox in the beginning of the outbreak highlighted the virus as affecting communities of men who have sex with men. However, this is not a gay disease and anyone can get mpox. Right now, people of all sexual orientations, genders, and age groups are getting mpox. This rhetoric is stigmatizing and dangerous and important to call out.

Myth: mpox is the new Covid.

Understandably there will be confusions between mpox and COVID due to the timing of the viruses. However, we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as the virus is still very much present around the world. mpox and COVID are different viruses, with different symptoms, methods of transmission, and guidelines associated with them. Mpox is not spread as easily as COVID. Although it is possible to get mpox through respiratory droplets, it is much less likely. For more information on how mpox is spread, visit our education page.

Myth: mpox has a high fatality rate.

The World Health Organization sites the fatality rate of the current mpox outbreak as 3-6%, often confused with the historical fatality rate as 1-10%. The current outbreak of mpox has a much lower fatality rate than historically represented due to a different variant of the virus. While you are unlikely to die from mpox, the virus has serious health consequences. To learn more, visit our education page.

Myth: There isn’t a lot of information or research about mpox.

Fortunately, there is! mpox has been around since 1958 and the virus has been reported in humans since 1970. Because of this, we have the resources and information to treat and prevent mpox, it is just about accessibility when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus. Just like any viral disease, variants offer some unknowns. However, this is not like the early stages of the COVID pandemic where there was very little research. To stay up to date on research and news, visit our page on blog.

 FAQs

  • Yes! Vaccination for mpox can be used as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, otherwise known as PEP. This means that after a known exposure to mpox, if a person is vaccinated before they develop symptoms, vaccination can prevent infection.

  • If you have received the Smallpox vaccine (ACAM2000), you have antibodies that protect you against mpox, even if you received the 50 years ago.

    The smallpox vaccine can often be identified through an indented scar at the injection site. This is not to be confused with the scar from the tuberculosis vaccine, which is often raised.

    The smallpox vaccine ceased to be distributed in the United States in 1972, following the eradication of smallpox. However, many immigrants and individuals in the military continued to be vaccinated for smallpox after this date, in addition to some countries.

    Please refer to your vaccine records to determine if you have received the smallpox vaccine.

  • The current gold standard tests for mpox require the swabbing of lesions in order to determine diagnosis - meaning they are not useful for screening purposes (but can be used to confirm whether or not the rash you have is mpox!)

    Mpox testing is also not standard screening practice, and there are few labs that have validated tests available. While your health provider should be able to order a mpox test for you if you already have a suspected case, at this time there is nothing available for PASS to use to screening purposes.

  • Unfortunately, there is a worldwide vaccine shortage due to a halt in manufacturing.

    From Health Policy Watch: “MVA-BN, marketed under the trade name IMVAMUNE, is the world’s only vaccine marketed against mpox.

    The manufacturer of the world’s only vaccine approved for mpox, Bavarian Nordic, faces a planned closure of its European production plant until late 2022. With only 16.4 million doses of the MVA-BN vaccine available worldwide, it is unclear how the company plans to meet rising demand for its mpox vaccine following the global health emergency of international concern recently declared by the World Health Organization”

  • If you develop lesions or become ill, speak with a medical professional and do not continue to work. If you do test positive for mpox, reach out to PASS for assistance in contact tracing.

    Get a vaccine if it becomes available to you.

  • Your vaccine administrator is required to disclose vaccine information to you including the type of vaccine, risks, side effects, and dosage information. When you get the mpox vaccine, your provider will inform you of which vaccine you are receiving. Be sure to notify your provider of any addition questions or concerns you may have.

  • Visit #GiveUsAShot to learn more about our mpox campaign and demands to make vaccination more accessible.

  • Learn more about the mpox virus by visiting our education page.

  • Stay up to date on current events and research by visiting the PASS Infections Tracking Blog or the PASS News page and @PASSCertified twitter, where major industry changes will be posted.