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What is Mpox?Updated 11-19-24

Mpox is a contagious disease caused by an orthopoxvirus that causes mpox, a disease with similar symptoms as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are milder than smallpox and rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox.

To learn about preventing mpox illness and transmission, see Mpox Prevention and Guidance. To view the weekly mpox cases in Los Angeles County, see summary data dashboard. If you think you may have mpox, talk with your provider. Detailed information about testing and treatment is available here.

Information for the Public
Vaccine Information
  • The JYNNEOS vaccine is FDA approved to prevent mpox disease in people aged 18 years and older. It is also available under FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) for people under aged 18 years.
  • The JYNNEOS vaccine has been used to protect against clade II mpox disease since the 2022-20223 global mpox outbreak and is expected to protect against clade 1 mpox which is predominantly circulating in Africa.
  • Persons at risk for mpox who have never had the disease are recommended to get vaccinated to protect against the disease.
  • JYNNEOS is a two-dose vaccine that can decrease risk of symptomatic disease and severe complications of disease. The effectiveness of 1 dose is 75% and 2 doses is 86% against disease.
  • It takes 14 days after getting the second dose of JYNNEOS to get the best immune response against mpox. But even getting one dose can provide some protection.
  • The vaccine can be given within 4 days of a possible exposure to mpox, to prevent infection. However, giving it 4 to 14 days after exposure may still provide some protection or make the symptoms less severe.
  • If someone already has mpox, the vaccine is not recommended as they will continue to have protection.
Vaccine Recommendations

The CDC recommends JYNNEOS vaccine for prevention of mpox in people aged 18 years and older and FDA-authorized in persons younger than aged 18 years.

JYNNEOS is a 2-dose series given 28 days apart. It is not too late to get the second dose, even if more than 28 days have passed since the first dose. Persons are not considered fully vaccinated until 14 days after their second dose. No boosters or third doses are recommended at this time.

Those at risk for or seeking additional protection from mpox infection are encouraged to get vaccinated. Anyone who requests vaccination can receive it in Los Angeles County without having to disclose information on personal risk.

Who should get the vaccine:

The following groups may be at-risk for mpox and are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect against mpox infection and severe disease:

  • Persons who had skin-to-skin or intimate contact with someone with suspected or confirmed mpox, including those who have not yet been confirmed by Public Health.
  • Any man or transgender person who has sex with men or transgender persons.
  • Persons of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex or have sex in association with a large public event.
  • Persons living with HIV, especially persons with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease.
  • Sexual partners of people in any of the above groups.
  • Any adult, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, if they are traveling to a country with ongoing human-to-human transmission of clade I mpox AND they anticipate having:
    • Sex with a new partner
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., a sex club or bathhouse)
    • Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade
    • Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., a rave, party or festival)
    • Visit this CDC webpage to learn more about the global clade 1 mpox outbreak situation.
  • People who anticipate being in any of the above groups.
  • People at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (e.g., certain people who work in a laboratory or a healthcare facility).

Who should not get the vaccine:

  • People with known allergies to JYNNEOS, its components, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, chicken, or egg protein.
  • Talk to your doctor about whether JYNNEOS vaccine is right for you.
Where to get the Vaccine

The JYNNEOS vaccine is now available on the commercial market. If you have insurance, talk to your doctor or check with your local pharmacy to see what vaccines are offered. Most health insurances cover the cost of all recommended vaccines for children and adults.

If you are an uninsured or underinsured adult, you may be able to access JYNNEOS vaccine at no cost at select locations that carry the vaccine, including federally qualified health centers and public health sites. You can also access free vaccines at select Public Health sites while supplies last. You may also search MyTurn to locate a vaccine provider near you.

If you are an uninsured or underinsured child aged 18 years or younger, you may be eligible to receive vaccines at no cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program if you are:

  • Eligible for or are enrolled in Medi-Cal
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
  • Uninsured (do not have health insurance)
  • Underinsured (private health insurance does not cover the full cost of vaccines)

Consent for Minors

  • At DPH vaccination sites that carry JYNNEOS vaccine (e.g., DPH Centers, multi-service vaccination sites, and mobile sites), minors between the ages of 12-17 years may consent to receiving the vaccine. Please refer to the DPH justification for more information. If you are younger than aged 18 years and plan to receive the vaccine at a non-DPH site, please contact the vaccine provider to learn about their requirements for parental consent.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a designated responsible adult with a signed consent form naming them.
Managing Your Immunization Records

If you are unsure of your mpox vaccination status or cannot locate your records, here are some options.

If you need official copies of your vaccine records, or if you need to update your personal records:

Additional Resources
Information for Providers
Clinical Presentation

For information on mpox clinical presentation, testing, treatment, reporting, and clinical consultation, please visit the LA County Public Health Mpox Resource Page for providers, and the Interim Clinical Guidance Considerations for Use of Vaccine for Mpox Prevention in the United States (CDC).

Vaccine Recommendations

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends vaccination for anyone at risk of mpox infection or seeking additional protection. Vaccination is available without disclosure of personal risk.

Click here for vaccination recommendations.

Storage and Handling

Proper vaccine storage and handling practices play an important role. For general recommendations and guidance access the Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit.

Additional Resources

CDC Clinical Resources

JYNNEOSTM Vaccine Information



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    • Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.

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