MDHHS updated vaccine recommendations for monkeypox virus (MPV) based on a recent announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) now allows providers to offer the vaccine as an injection between layers of the skin, or intradermally, which increases the number of doses up to five-fold and has the same immune response.
- The vaccine, JYNNEOS, is administered as two doses 28 days apart. People who received a first dose should contact their local health department or provider to receive a second dose 28 days after the first.
- People are considered fully vaccinated approximately two weeks after their second 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.
Who should get the monkeypox vaccine?
- MDHHS is urging anyone who is at risk, who has been exposed or suspects they have been exposed to the virus to contact their local health department about vaccination.
- MPV can spread to anyone through close, personal often skin-to-skin contact.
What is monkeypox and how does it spread?
- MPV is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.
- While both diseases may seem similar, MPV is not related to chickenpox.
- MPV can spread to anyone through close, personal often skin-to-skin contact including:
- Direct contact with MPV rash, scabs or body fluids from a person with MPV. It is believed this is currently the most common way that MPV is spreading in the U.S.
- Through contact with someone with MPV during common activities such as sex, hugging, massaging, kissing and prolonged face-to-face contact.
- Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with MPV.
- Contact with respiratory secretions.
When interacting with other people including groups at large events consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the event you plan to attend.
Where can I find more information?
To help keep Michiganders up to date on monkeypox (MPV) and the state’s response to the virus, MDHHS launched a new website.
Michigan.gov/mpv provides information about:
- Signs and symptoms of MPV
- Number of cases in the state by county
- Information for health care providers about testing and coordinating with local health departments
- Treatment and other resources for the public and providers.
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