The below is a brief summary from SFDPH and the CDC. To read detailed information regarding Monkeypox, please click on the hyperlinks for information from SFDPH and the CDC
What is Monkeypox and what are the symptoms?
Monkeypox is an illness caused by a virus that is related to smallpox virus. Persons may have the following symptoms:
- Flu like symptoms which can include the following: fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, general feeling of discomfort, feeling tired.
- Distinctive rash or sores or spots that can look like pimples or blisters on the skin anywhere on the body, especially in the genital area. Spots can also be inside the rectum or butt, on fingers, or in the mouth or eyes.
- The course for spots are they often start as red, flat spots, and then become bumps. The bumps become filled with fluid(pus). which then break and crusts over into itchy scabs.
- However, some persons may never get a rash. They can have a fever, or swollen glands or muscle aches. Others will get both symptoms or just the rash or vice versa. Some persons may only get one, two or three spots while others get spots all over their body. You can see images of the spots at both the SFDPH and CDC hyperlinks above.
- Symptoms last 2-4 weeks
How does it spread?
Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
- Close prolonged contact including from sex, hugging and kissing
- Sharing bedding and clothing (clothes, bedding, or towels)
- Contact with respiratory secretions (prolonged face to face contact with breathing at very close range)
- A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
- If you have sex or close physical contact with many persons your change of getting monkeypox is increased
Why is the monkeypox vaccine recommended?
Monkeypox vaccine can be used to help prevent illness and symptoms when given before exposure and also for persons who have been exposed to prevent less severe illness.
Who should get vaccinated?
Please refer to SFDPH guidelines here for most recent recommendations.
What vaccine is used?
JYNNEOS is a vaccine indicated for prevention of monkeypox disease. It is administered as two subcutaneous injections four weeks apart. People who receive JYNNEOS are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after they receive the second dose of the vaccine. However, presently due to extremely low supply, public health is recommending only 1st doses for most persons. When supply increases and only in conjunction with public health can we provide 2nd doses. 2nd doses can be provided to eligible persons with moderate and severe immunity.
Is the vaccine effective?
Smallpox and monkeypox vaccines are effective at protecting people against monkeypox when given before exposure to monkeypox. Experts also believe that vaccination after a monkeypox exposure may help prevent the disease or make it less severe. Current CDC recommendation is that monkeypox PEP (post exposure prophylaxis to prevent illness) be initiated within 4 days of exposure whereas providing PEP within 5-14 days after exposure and prior to symptom onset can reduce symptoms, but not prevent illness.
If I have recently been diagnosed with monkeypox should I get a vaccine?
No. Persons who have had monkeypox diagnosed since May 2022 are not recommended for vaccination, and those who have received a first dose of Jynneos are not recommended to receive a second dose. Current CDC recommendation is that having monkeypox infection likely confers immune protection.
Will I have side effects?
Most people who get the monkeypox vaccine have only minor reactions, such as mild fever, tiredness, swollen glands, and redness and itching at the place where the vaccine is given.
Stay Safe
- If you think you might be at risk, you can do the following:
- Cover exposed skin in crowds
- Avoid sharing bedding and clothing
- Talk with your partners about their health
- Stay up to date on monkey pox- this is a changing situation
If you have symptoms, you should:
- Contact a medical provider
- Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
- Wear a well-fitted mask around others
- Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others
- Stay away from other people
- Notify your partners about any symptoms you have