Mpox Vaccine
Protect yourself by getting both doses of the Mpox vaccine!
Vaccination is recommended to protect Californians who may be at risk for mpox. The vaccine is safe and effective at preventing severe mpox illness and reducing chance of infection from both clade I and clade II mpox. Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) has been in the U.S. since 2022 and continues to circulate in California.
Mpox mainly spreads through sex or close contact to a person who has mpox infection:
- Sexual activity
- Intimate physical contact such as cuddling or massages
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids that touched sores
- Sharing a living space or personal items with someone who has mpox
- Spread from a pregnant person with mpox to the fetus or baby
Casual contact, like one might have in an airplane, office, or store, is unlikely to spread mpox.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends* the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS) for any person who:
- Gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or
- Is transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse or
- Has HIV, or is taking/eligible for HIV PrEP or doxy PEP or
- Was exposed to someone with mpox in the last 14 days or
- Is planning to travel to sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, or a country with a clade I mpox outbreak and anticipates sexual or intimate contact while traveling or
- Anticipates attending a commercial sex event or venue (like a sex club or bathhouse) or
- Has a sex partner with any of the above risks or
- Requests mpox vaccination, even if they have not disclosed any risks listed above
In addition, the mpox vaccine is recommended for anyone at occupational risk for exposure to mpox (e.g., certain laboratory workers).
*These recommendations are intended to simplify risk assessment and increase vaccination coverage among groups at increased risk of exposure given current outbreak data. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are unsure if you may be at risk for mpox.
Monkeypox vaccines are available at the Imperial County Public Health Department
For more information please contact: 442-265-1444