Preventing Monkeypox

Prevention steps and strategies

Get vaccinated!

• The JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for prevention of monkeypox. Getting both doses provides the best protection. You should get two doses 4 weeks apart.
• Even if it has been longer than 4 weeks since you got the first vaccine dose, you should get the second dose as soon as possible.
• If you are a close contact of someone who's been diagnosed with monkeypox, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible after exposure to someone with monkeypox. Get vaccinated if you were exposed less than 14 days ago, ideally within 4 days, for the best chance to prevent the disease or make it less severe if you do get monkeypox.
• If you previously recovered from monkeypox, you do not need the vaccine.
• Check with your healthcare provider if the monkeypox vaccine is recommended for you.
• Contact your healthcare provider, local pharmacy, or local health department for monkeypox vaccine availability.

Lower your risk of monkeypox during sex or at a social gathering

• If you are at risk for monkeypox but haven't received your two-dose vaccine yet, consider temporarily changing activities that involve close personal contact (such as sex).
• Avoid any rash you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to-skin contact. This is particularly important at a rave, party, or club where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.
• Condoms (latex or polyurethane) may protect your anus (butthole), mouth, penis, or vagina from exposure to monkeypox. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures to monkeypox since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.
• Learn more about safer sex, social gatherings, and monkeypox.

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox and animals that carry the virus

This might include skin with what appears to be a rash, pimples, blisters, or scabs.

• The rash might appear on the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth and other areas like on the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, vagina). Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid direct contact with someone who may have monkeypox, including kissing, hugging, and massage.

Avoid contact with animals where monkeypox occurs regularly

• In areas where monkeypox is endemic (found regularly), particularly in Central or West Africa, avoid contact with live or dead wild animals that can carry the virus that causes monkeypox, such as rodents and primates. Direct contact with infected animals can spread the virus.

Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used

• Do not share eating utensils, dishes, plates, or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• If you or someone you live with has monkeypox, follow steps for Cleaning and Disinfecting your Home.

Wash your hands often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
• Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect you, your family, and your friends from getting sick.