Monkeypox (MPV)
Upcoming Vaccine Clinics Sign Up for High-Risk Individuals
Vaccine for MPV is currently limited to: (1) those who have been directly exposed; (2) are close contacts of those who have been diagnosed; (3) are a probable case of MPV; and/or (4) certain high-risk individuals. Please read more below or speak with a health care provider to find out if you are considered a high-risk individual and should receive the MPV vaccine.
San Juan IslandFriday Harbor HCS Clinic at 145 Rhone Street |
| Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Second Doses Only REGISTER HERE |
Orcas IslandOrcas HCS Clinic at 62 Henry Road (Please enter through the clinic entrance on the east side of the building - please follow the clinic signs.) |
| Thursday, November 17, 2022 First and Second Doses REGISTER HERE |
Eligibility Requirements for JYNNEOS/MPV (Monkeypox) Vaccine
Vaccines are in scarce supply in San Juan County. San Juan County is prioritizing the available vaccines for people at risk. Vaccination supply is currently prioritized for:
- Those who have tested positive for MPV.
- Those who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for MPV.
- The following populations:
- Gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals who have had multiple or anonymous gay, male bisexual, or transgender sex partners in the last 3 months.
- People who have used methamphetamine in the last 3 months.
- People who have exchanged sex for money, drugs, or other purposes in the last 3 months.
- People who have been sexually assaulted, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
- People who have had sexual or prolonged skin-to-skin exposure with people who were exposed to MPV.
- The following minority populations (among those who meet the above criteria) should be prioritized for outreach and for vaccination:
- Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, Asian, Indigenous, or American Indian/Alaska Native who are GBMSM.
- Individuals who have been diagnosed with early syphilis or gonorrhea in the prior year.
- Individuals who have attended a bathhouse or public sex venue or participated in group sex (sex including >3 people at the same time) in the last 3 months.
- Individuals who have experienced homelessness/unstable housing (including living in a shelter, car, or congregate setting; living with friends or relatives; couch surfing; agricultural workers and seafood workers) in the last 3 months.
- Individuals who are currently or in the past 3 months have been incarcerated.
- Individuals who are currently taking PrEP to prevent HIV infection.
Vaccination is NOT currently recommended for members of the general public or others who do not meet any of the criteria above.
If you feel you are at risk and do not meet the criteria above, please call our office at 360-378-4474 to speak with a public health nurse.
About MPV
MPV is a rare viral disease. It occurs in rodents and non-human primates in central and West Africa. Infection can spread from animals to humans and then from one person to another. The threat of MPV to the general US population remains low.
While MPV is disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community, anyone can get it, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Anyone who has close, personal, and often skin-to-skin contact with an individual who has an infectious MPV rash can be infected. According to the CDC, the incubation period of MPV is 3 to 17 days – during this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine. The actual illness typically lasts two to four weeks.
Also check out our Hot Topic on MPV!
Symptoms
As noted above, the incubation period (time from contracting the disease to the development of symptoms) for MPV is usually 7 to 14 days but can range from 3 to 17 days.
MPV symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash one to four days later. People with MPV get a rash that can be located on or near the genital area and can also be in other areas, including the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash will go through several stages (including scabs) before healing. Initially, the rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Other symptoms of MPV can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache, and respiratory symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough). Sometimes people have flu-like symptoms before the rash. Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. MPV can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
Treatment
Most people recover in two to four weeks, but the disease can be serious for immunocompromised people, children, or pregnant people. There have been no reported deaths in the US during the current outbreak of MPV.
Currently there is no specific treatment approved by the FDA for treatment of MPV. However, antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may prove beneficial against MPV. If you are a confirmed or probable MPV patient, you can discuss treatment options with your medical provider.
Testing
Anyone who develops a rash and thinks they may have had close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who could have MPV in the last 21 days should talk to a medical provider and find out if they should be tested. You may also qualify for a MPV vaccine. Ask your medical provider or call the HCS office to speak with a public health nurse and find out if you should get the MPV vaccine. Ideally, you should receive the vaccine within four days of exposure to MPV. If has been more than four days, however, getting the vaccine before 14 days past exposure may lessen the severity of the illness.
Prevention
It is important to ensure that individuals with symptoms are isolating. We are asking the public to avoid skin-to-skin contact if they have a suspicious rash and are encouraging anyone who thinks they may have had close contact with someone who has or could have MPV in the last 21 days to talk to a medical provider and inquire about testing. There are ample testing resources available in the United States.
Vaccination
Additional Information and Resources:
Washingtonians can now call 1-833-829-HELP for the latest information on MPV. Through an ongoing partnership with Washington 211, call takers will answer questions about MPV risk factors, vaccine information, testing, and treatment from 6 am to 10 pm Mon, and 6 am to 6 pm Tues through Sun and observed state holidays. In addition to calling 1-833-829-HELP, callers can continue to dial 1-800-525-0127 and press # to be transferred to a Washington 211 specialist. Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Call takers will not be able to schedule vaccine appointments.
General Information
Washington State Department of Health MPV Information and Dashboard
If You Are Sick
Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings
Community Resources
Monkeypox and Safer Sex (español)
Reducing Stigma in Monkeypox Communication and Community Engagement
CDC Event Organizer Letter Template
Children and Young Adults
What You Need to Know about Monkeypox if You Are a Teen or Young Adult (español)
Schools, Early Care and Education Programs, and Other Settings Serving Children or Adolescents
Vaccination Information
Smallpox/Monkeypox Vaccine Information Statement