Health and Community Services Department

Mpox

Effective 11/28/22 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the name monkeypox be replaced with ‘mpox’ as the new standard for international classification of disease (ICD). Further information can be found here.

The Mpox Vaccine (JYNNEOS) is available at the Health and Community Services Department. No appointment is needed during our regular clinic hours. 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday.

To find other vaccine sites in the area, use the MPOX vaccine locator found here.

Mpox Vaccine

Mpox vaccine basics

Mpox vaccine (known as JYNNEOS) can be an effective tool to help prevent disease before exposure or make it less severe after exposure.
If someone has already been exposed, getting a mpox vaccine within 4 days can prevent the onset of disease. Getting vaccinated between 4 and 14 days after exposure, may reduce symptoms of the disease.
Jynneos is a two-dose vaccine with typically four weeks (28 days) between the first and second doses. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose.
Mpox Infections after Vaccination

Who can get a mpox vaccine right now?

In Kalamazoo County and throughout Michigan, the vaccine is available to those who have been exposed to someone with mpox and/or anyone who thinks they may be at risk.

If you do not meet the criteria above, you are not currently eligible for an mpox vaccine. As more doses become available, vaccine availability may expand further. We will share updates here as we have them.

Can children or adolescents 18 years of age receive JYNNEOS (the mpox vaccine)?

JYNNEOS is not approved for use in individuals under 18 years of age in the United States. However, on August 9, 2022 the FDA authorized the emergency use of JYNNEOS to prevent mpox disease in individuals under 18 years of age determined to be at high risk for mpox infection. The individual must meet exposure or risk criteria above to be eligible for vaccination. Your healthcare provider can assist in determining exposure or risk for mpox infection and with informing the decision to vaccinate.

If I am eligible for mpox vaccination, how many doses are recommended? Is there a cost for the vaccine?

JYNNEOS vaccine is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days (4 weeks) apart. A person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after their 2nd dose. If more than 28 days have passed since receiving the first dose, individuals should receive their second dose as soon as possible and do not have to restart the series. Click here for the JYNNEOS Vaccine Information Statement.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is available at no cost to you.

I'm eligible for the mpox vaccine. How do I make an appointment?

If you meet the criteria above, no appointment is needed during our regular clinic hours Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-11:30am, 1:00-4:15pm and Friday 8:30am to noon. Or you can call 269-373-5203 to make an appointment.

Additional Vaccine Video Links

General Mpox Resources

Mpox Resources For Healthcare Professionals

Mpox Case Counts

Michigan Mpox Dashboard Updated every other week on Tuesdays

Information not displaying? Click here to view.

What is mpox?

Mpox is a disease caused by infection with the mpox virus and spreads through close physical contact.

The disease can make you sick, including a rash, which may look like bumps on your skin, pimples, blisters, or ulcers. Some people have a flu-like illness before they develop a rash. Infections with the strain of mpox virus identified in the recent U.S. outbreak are rarely fatal, and most people recover in 2-4 weeks.

If you think you may have been exposed or have symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has mpox is at risk. While many of those affected in the current global outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has mpox can get the illness, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Click here for a general mpox fact sheet (7/15/22)

Click here for a general mpox fact sheet in Spanish (7/15/22)

How is mpox spread?

Mpox is usually spread from one person to another through close, often skin-to skin contact. Routes of transmission include:

Direct contact with mpox rash, sores, or scabs from a person with mpox. CDC believes this is currently the most common way that mpox is spreading in the U.S.
Mpox can be transmitted during sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate sexual contact (such as kissing, cuddling, or massage).
Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
Through respiratory droplets or oral fluids (saliva) through kissing, sharing eating utensils or cups, and other face-to-face contact.

Click here for more information about how mpox can spread.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

People with mpox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of mpox can include:

Fever
Chills
Swollen lymph nodes
Exhaustion
Muscle aches and backache
Headache
Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

You may experience all or only a few symptoms

Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
Others only experience a rash.

Most people with mpox recover in 2-4 weeks, but the disease can be serious, especially for immunocompromised people, children, and pregnant people.

Symptoms usually start within two weeks of exposure to the virus but can start up to three weeks later.
Within 1-4 days of symptoms beginning, people usually develop a rash or sores.
The sores might be located on or near the genitals or anus, but sometimes occur in other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or in the mouth. Sores often go through several stages before healing, which takes about 3 weeks.
Mpox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Visual Examples of Mpox Rash

What should I do if I have symptoms or was exposed?

The time from infection to having symptoms is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.
CDC What to Do if You are a Close Contact of a Person With Mpox
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop a new, unexplained, rash or lesions on any part of the body and avoid sex or other close, intimate contact until you have been checked out.
Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact or prolonged face-to-face contact.
Talk to your partner/s about any recent illness and be aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including rashes on the genitals and anus.
People with new rashes should also be aware that the rate of syphilis is rising in the U.S., MI, and in Kalamazoo County. Syphilis - STD information from CDC Mpox can occur at the same time as, and may have a similar appearance to, other sexually transmitted infections including syphilis.
If you have been exposed to mpox, have a new rash, and do not have a health care provider; call the health department to see if mpox testing is appropriate for you.
Click here for a What to Do if I Was Exposed Fact Sheet

How do you test for mpox?

You must have a rash or sores to get a mpox test. A swab is rubbed against the sores on your skin or parts of your rash. The test is sent to a specialized lab for testing. Results should be available within a few days.
Your healthcare provider may also do blood tests for other infections that can look like mpox.

What should I do if I’m diagnosed with mpox?

Follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your healthcare provider/s. Additional self care tips can be found here.
CDC Patient’s Guide to Mpox Treatment with TPOXX
It is important to notify your close contacts that may have been exposed to mpox as soon as possible so they can watch for signs and symptoms, get tested, and isolate if they have symptoms. The CDC Guide for Notifying Close Contacts can be found here.
Avoid close contact with anyone until all of your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed. Click here for CDC Isolation and Prevention Practices for people with mpox.
CDC Preventing Mpox Spread to Others
The CDC does not currently believe that mpox poses a high risk to pets. But, it is possible for someone who is infected to spread mpox to pets through close contact including petting, sharing sleeping areas, etc.Click here for more information.
Caring for skin with mpox lesions
The virus can survive in linens, clothing and on environmental surfaces. Click here for more information on cleaning and disinfecting settings such as homes and cars.

How to take care of yourself when diagnosed with Mpox

How can I lower my risk for mpox?

A person’s identity does not put them at risk for mpox. A person’s risk is determined by the people they come into close physical contact with. The risk of mpox is not limited to people who are sexually active or men who have sex with men. Click here for additional information on transmission risk by activity.

Having sex or close physical contact with multiple or anonymous partners can put you at higher risk for mpox if it is spreading in the community. If attending an event, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the event you plan to attend.

Avoid contact with any materials that have been in contact with an infected person.

If you feel sick or have any rashes or sores, avoid sex and gatherings, especially if they involve close skin-to-skin contact or prolonged face-to-face contact, and see a healthcare provider. Safer sex information

Click here for additional information from the CDC on safer sex and social gatherings.

Is there a treatment for mpox?

There are no treatments specifically for mpox virus infections. However, mpox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat mpox virus infections.

Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.

Treatments for mpox cases are currently available through the Strategic National Stockpile. Clinicians evaluating mpox patients should be aware of the clinical considerations and process of requesting TPOXX (Tecovirimat) for their patients.

CDC Patient’s Guide to Mpox Treatment with TPOXX