Monkeypox Information
Anyone can potentially get and spread monkeypox, but the risk to the general public is considered low at this time.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Southside Health District are responding to an outbreak of monkeypox that has spread across several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. For information on monkeypox in Virginia, please visit the VDH monkeypox website. If you are a healthcare provider, please visit the monkeypox website for healthcare providers. The Southside Health District is working to ensure that residents who have been exposed or are at high risk of being exposed to monkeypox receive a vaccination.
If you are interested in receiving a monkeypox vaccination, please call us at (434) 738-6815.
Eligibility Criteria for Vaccination
VDH recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox.
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 monkeypox 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 monkeypox case
- Those with certain risk factors and recent experiences that might make them more likely to have been recently exposed to monkeypox:
- 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 monkeypox; examples include:
- Healthcare providers who are administering ACAM2000
- Laboratorians handling monkeypox specimens
*Some people are at a high risk of becoming severely ill from monkeypox 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 monkeypox infection occurring in those living with HIV/AIDS
Vaccination is not a treatment for monkeypox. If you are sick with monkeypox, contact your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options.
For updates on monkeypox, visit the VDH page found here or the CDC page found here.