Mpox: What You Need to Know

In July of 2022 Mpox (monkeypox) was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization and a national public health emergency from the Biden Administration. After years of pandemic measures for COVID-19, this can feel like stressful news. While Mpox should not be taken lightly, there are ways to inform and protect yourself from this virus.  

Mpox is in the same family as smallpox. While more mild and not typically fatal like its distant cousin was, monkeypox is a serious virus with serious health risks. Symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, muscle and back aches, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion and respiratory symptoms. Most people with Mpox will also develop a rash, which can resemble blisters or pimples, and the overall experience can be quite painful.  

Cases in the U.S., while small compared to COVID, are growing at an alarming rate. Currently at around U.S. 11,000 cases, and approaching 40,000 worldwide, what’s most troubling is the acceleration rate at which the virus is spreading. According to the CDC, on July 10th there were 10 new cases reported, and by August 10th there were 1,391 new cases in just a single day - more than one tenth of all reported cases in the U.S. to date.

We don’t share these statistics to alarm you, rather to paint a realistic picture of what’s happening. We also plan to be a company you can rely on to give you the facts and guide you through this virus and whatever is next, just like we have with COVID-19.  

So here’s what we can offer right now. We are offering Mpox vaccines in several states where we currently operate. You can schedule a vaccine if you’re eligible and we will continue working hard to offer support and services to help keep you healthy. Below you can see where we are offering vaccines and check out our FAQs on Mpox. As always, please reach out with any questions you might have.

Scroll below to see Mpox vaccine locations

Note that vaccine eligibility may change rapidly to ensure those at risk are eligible but also prioritize those with greatest risk factors.

Colorado

Vaccination is for prevention of Mpox only. People with confirmed cases of Mpox or symptoms of Mpox are not eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Vaccine remains in low supply and can only be offered to people who meet one of the below criteria:  

• Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men aged 18 years and older who have had multiple sexual partners, and/or sexual partners they did not previously know, in the last 14 days.
• Anyone aged 18 years and older who believes they have been in close contact with someone who has Mpox in the last 14 days.

Texas

Vaccination is for prevention of Mpox only. People with confirmed cases of Mpox or symptoms of Mpox are not eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Vaccine remains in low supply and can only be offered to people who meet one of the below criteria:  

• Persons who had close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has tested positive for Mpox.
• Men (cisgender and transgender) 18+ who have sex with men and who have had multiple or anonymous partners in the past 14 days.

I'm in Texas, I meet the requirements. Schedule my vaccine.

Florida

Vaccination is for prevention of Mpox only. People with confirmed cases of Mpox or symptoms of Mpox are not eligible to receive the vaccine. 

Mpox vaccines are currently only being provided to certain populations that are at high risk for infection, these groups include:

• Laboratory personnel and select health care personnel at high risk for Mpox
• Close contact with Mpox cases
• Immunocompromised MSM (men who have sex with men) with HIV (<200 CD4 white blood cells per ml³)

Other MSM with a recent history of sexually transmissible diseases (STD)

I'm in Florida, I meet the requirements. Schedule my vaccine.

FAQS

Frequently asked questions about the Mpox vaccine

More questions? We’ve got answers. Contact us using the Get In Touch form.

Q. What is Mpox?  

Mpox (monkeypox) is a rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and Mpox is rarely fatal.

There are two types (or clades) of Mpox virus: West African and Congo Basin. Infections in the current outbreak are from the West African type.

Q. Is Mpox deadly?

Infections with the type of Mpox virus identified in this outbreak—the West African type—are rarely fatal. Over 99% of people who get this form of the disease are likely to survive. However, people with weakened immune systems, children under 8 years of age, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be more likely to get seriously ill or die.

Q. What are the symptoms of Mpox?  

• Fever, Chills, Headache, Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
• The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
• Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
• Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after infection

Q. What should I do if I start feeling symptoms?

• See a healthcare provider if you notice a new or unexplained rash or other Mpox symptoms.
• Avoid close contact (including intimate physical contact) with others until you see a healthcare provider.
• If you’re waiting for test results, follow the same precautions.
• If your test result is positive, stay isolated and observe other prevention practices until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
• Remain isolated if you have a fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. Only go out to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency. Avoid public transportation.
• If you must leave isolation, cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask.

Q. Who is most likely to get Mpox?  

People more likely to get Mpox include:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with Mpox
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with Mpox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known Mpox
• People whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as:
• Laboratory workers who perform testing for orthopoxviruses
• Laboratory workers who handle cultures or animals with orthopoxviruses
• Some designated healthcare or public health workers

Q. I want to know more about the vaccine and vaccine protection

Two vaccines may be used for the prevention of Mpox virus infection:

• JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex), licensed (or approved) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of Mpox virus infection, and
• ACAM2000, licensed (or approved) by FDA for use against smallpox and made available for use against Mpox under an Expanded Access Investigational New Drug application.
• The preferred vaccine to protect against monkeypox is JYNNEOS, which is a two-dose vaccine. It takes 14 days after getting the second dose of JYNNEOS for its immune protection to reach its maximum.
• However, it has the potential for more side effects and adverse events than JYNNEOS. It is not recommended for people with severely weakened immune systems and several other conditions.
• People should take precautions to reduce their exposure to Mpox until immune protection from vaccines has reached its maximum.  
• Consult your healthcare provider to see if you should get vaccinated against Mpox, and if you should receive ACAM2000 instead of JYNNEOS.