Should you get a monkeypox vaccine?
There have been more than 2,800 confirmed U.S. cases of monkeypox since the outbreak began in May. On Saturday, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of monkeypox “a public health emergency of international concern.”
Public health experts have been urging people who were exposed or at high risk of exposure to get vaccinated.
Unlike with COVID-19, when the world had to wait for a vaccine to be created, a monkeypox vaccine, called Jynneos, already exists, though the U.S. is struggling to meet demand for the shot.
An older vaccine that was designed to prevent smallpox, ACAM2000, can also be used to prevent monkeypox, which is in the same virus family. However, this vaccine tends to cause more side effects and cannot be given to people who are immunocompromised or have certain health conditions, said Mary Jo Trepka, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Florida International University’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work.
Here’s what else to know:
Who should get the monkeypox vaccine?
At this moment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending people who have been exposed or are considered to be high risk for exposure get vaccinated. People considered to be high risk include:
—Anyone who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known cases of monkeypox
—Anyone who learns that one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks was diagnosed with monkeypox
—People whose job may expose them to the disease, such as certain health care and laboratory workers
—Vaccination priority with the Jynneos vaccine should be given to people who are at risk for severe illness, such as people with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or another immunocompromised condition, the CDC says.
Jynneos monkeypox vaccine at a glance
—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Jynneos vaccine in 2019 to help prevent monkeypox and smallpox in people 18 and older who are considered to be at high risk for infection. The CDC says it’s working with the FDA to expand eligibility for the vaccine to people under 18. It’s also worth noting that some health departments may have stricter or more specific eligibility guidelines on who can get the vaccine.
—Jynneos requires two shots, given four weeks apart. People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after their second shot.
—Jynneos is made with a non-replicating live virus, which makes it a better option for people with weaker immune systems, who are pregnant or have other health conditions, according to the CDC. It’s also safe for people with HIV and atopic dermatitis, CDC said.
—This is the vaccine the CDC is promoting in its vaccination campaign. However, the federal government says there aren’t enough vaccines to meet demand. More doses have been ordered.
How effective is the monkeypox vaccine?
“Jynneos is at least 85% effective in preventing monkeypox infection, based on data from animal studies, as well as the immune response to the vaccine in humans (there’s no data on how effective it is against the current outbreak, though). The FDA approval of Jynneos included 22 clinical trials on almost 8,000 people,” according to Slate, the online magazine.
ACAM2000 vaccine at a glance
—ACAM2000 is a one-dose vaccine the FDA approved in 2007 to help prevent smallpox in people considered to be high risk for infection. The CDC says it can also be used to help prevent monkeypox though it’s not the preferred shot to get.
—People are considered fully vaccinated four weeks after getting the vaccine.
—ACAM2000 has a live virus that is “replication competent,” per the CDC. This vaccine does not give people smallpox. It does give a “mild virus” in order to prompt an immune response, said Trepka, the FIU epidemiologist. This causes a lesion to temporarily develop in the vaccination area and requires people to be extra careful to avoid spreading it to others.
“You really shouldn’t even get it [the ACAM2000 vaccine] if you have somebody who’s immunecompromised in your household because you could infect them,” said Trepka.
—The federal government says it has ample supply of ACAM2000. But the shot has “significant side effects” and cannot be given to everyone, making it a less popular choice.
The CDC also says people who have the following conditions should not get ACAM2000:
—Cardiac disease
—Eye disease treated with topical steroids
—Congenital or acquired immune deficiency disorders, including those taking immunosuppressive medications and people living with HIV (regardless of immune status)
—Atopic dermatitis/eczema and persons with a history of atopic dermatitis/eczema or other acute or exfoliative skin conditions
—Infants less than 12 months of age
—Pregnancy
Vaccine risk vs. monkeypox?
For most people exposed to monkeypox, the risk from the disease is greater than the risks from the smallpox or monkeypox vaccine, according to the CDC. Monkeypox is milder than smallpox and is usually less fatal. So far, no one has died from monkeypox in the United States during this international outbreak.
If you have questions about the vaccine, including eligibility, speak with your doctor. And remember, if you do get vaccinated, there are still preventive steps you should take to reduce your risk of falling ill with monkeypox.