Anyone can potentially get and spread mpox, but the risk to the general public is considered low at this time.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District are responding to an outbreak of mpox that has spread across several countries that don’t normally report mpox, including the United States. For information on mpox in Virginia, please visit the VDH mpox website. If you are a healthcare provider, please visit the mpox website for healthcare providers. The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is working to ensure that residents who have been exposed or are at high risk of being exposed to mpox receive a vaccination.
If you are interested in receiving a mpox vaccination, please call us at (434)766-9828.
Eligibility Criteria for Vaccination
VDH recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who may be more likely to get mpox.
In Virginia, JYNNEOS is recommended and available for individuals who identify with any of the groups listed below. However, some people who are at higher risk of exposure to mpox may be eligible for a vaccine even if they don’t fit into one of these categories. Talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should receive a vaccine.
- Those who, within the past 14 days, have had an intermediate to high risk exposure to a known and documented mpox case
- Those with certain risk factors and recent experiences that might make them more likely to have been recently exposed to mpox:
- Person (of any sexual orientation or gender) who has had anonymous or multiple (more than 1) sexual partners in the last 2 weeks
- Person (of any sexual orientation or gender) diagnosed with any sexually transmitted infection in the past 3 months
- Person (of any sexual orientation or gender) who is living with HIV/AIDS*
- Staff (of any sexual orientation or gender) at establishments or events where sexual activity occurs
- Sex workers (of any sexual orientation or gender)
- Those whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses, such as mpox; examples include:
- Healthcare providers who are administering ACAM2000
- Laboratorians handling mpox specimens
*Some people are at a high risk of becoming severely ill from mpox based on preexisting conditions, such as those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information about the increased frequency of mpox infection occurring in those living with HIV/AIDS
Vaccination is not a treatment for mpox. If you are sick with mpox, contact your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.
For updates on mpox, visit the VDH page found here or the CDC page found here.