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Monkeypox

Preparedness and Vaccine

Monkeypox (MPX)

Preparedness and Vaccine

BHS has been allocated Jynneos smallpox/monkeypox vaccine. This vaccine is a two-dose series, given 4 weeks apart. To receive vaccine, you must qualify for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Enhanced PEP (PEP++), or limited Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as defined by the PA Department of Health.

In general, if you are a man or transgender/non-binary person who has sex with men (or are a woman whose male sexual partners have sex with other men), you qualify for the MPX vaccine now if you meet one of these criteria:

  • you have multiple (2+) or anonymous sex partners
  • you are on HIV PrEP (like Truvada, Descovy, or Apretude)
  • you have had a new STI in the past year (like gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia)
  • you have visited or plan to visit venues with anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners (like saunas, bathhouses, sex clubs, sex parties, campgrounds)
  • you have met or plan to meet sexual partners through online apps or settings like raves, clubs, sex parties, campgrounds, etc.
  • you are experiencing homelessness or housing uncertainty
  • you have exchanged money or other services/goods for sex
  • you have a medical condition like HIV or weakened immune system that would put you at risk for a severe illness if you got infected
  • a healthcare provider or public health official has told you that you are at high risk for acquiring monkeypox

If you believe you were exposed to MPX, please contact the PA Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

If you develop symptoms that you think could be MPX, call your primary care provider or visit a FasterCare or urgent care clinic. You should not receive Jynneos vaccine if you have developed MPX symptoms.

If you are eligible for MPX vaccine, you may schedule your first appointment using the link below. Your second vaccination will be scheduled when here for your first. If you missed your second appointment, you can schedule a 2nd dose through this link as well.

Our MPX vaccine clinics overlap with some of our COVID-19 booster clinics.

Note: the CDC recommends waiting at least 4 weeks between receiving either MPX vaccine dose and receiving any COVID-19 vaccine (including the updated bivalent booster) because of potential additive risks of myocarditis from each vaccine. For COVID-19 vaccines, the risk of myocarditis is greatest in men aged 16 to 22. This is simply a recommendation, and each person will need to weigh the risks for themselves.

Scheduled MPX vaccine clinics will be held at the Crossroads Campus, 127 Oneida Valley Road (1st floor), Butler, PA on the following dates:

  • Friday, October 28, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday, November 9, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, December 7, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Click here to schedule your Monkeypox Vaccine at BHS Crossroads Campus

Note: the CDC recommends waiting at least 4 weeks between receiving either MPX vaccine dose and receiving any COVID-19 vaccine (including the updated bivalent booster) because of potential additive risks of myocarditis from each vaccine. For COVID-19 vaccines, the risk of myocarditis is greatest in men aged 16 to 22. This is simply a recommendation, and each person will need to weigh the risks for themselves.

Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) on Jynneos smallpox/monkeypox vaccine:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/smallpox-monkeypox.pdf

Additional MPX resources:

CDC MPX site: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

CDC MPX vaccine page: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/vaccines.html

PA DOH MPX site: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Monkeypox/Pages/Monkeypox.aspx

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