Monkeypox after Vaccination

Overview

Two doses of JYNNEOS vaccine work to prevent monkeypox in most people. No vaccine is 100% effective, so in rare cases (less than 1 percent), people who have been fully vaccinated with both doses do get monkeypox. If someone who got both doses of the monkeypox vaccine does get monkeypox, infections are usually much milder.

Get the facts

• CDC recommends vaccination for those who are at risk of monkeypox.
• Getting both recommended doses of the monkeypox vaccine makes getting and spreading monkeypox less likely.
• Infections after any vaccination are possible. No vaccine is 100% effective.
• If you have a rash or other symptoms of monkeypox, you should get tested even if you have been vaccinated or had monkeypox.
• The vaccine may help protect you against severe infection, hospitalization, and death.
• Research shows that whether you got the vaccine between the top layers of the skin of your forearm, shoulder blade, or high on your shoulder (intradermal vaccination), or in the fat layer in the back of your upper arm (subcutaneously), the vaccine provides good protection from monkeypox.
• Right now, getting more than 2 monkeypox vaccine doses, like a booster dose, isn't recommended unless you work with monkeypox virus or other orthopoxviruses in a research laboratory.
• Studies are showing that people who had more sexual partners were more likely to get monkeypox after getting both doses of the vaccine. It may be that more chances to get monkeypox may increase your risk, even if you're fully vaccinated.

• Why some people have gotten monkeypox after vaccination.
• Evidence suggests that the vaccine continues to be effective and a booster is not needed, but we don't know how long the vaccine will protect against monkeypox.

Steps you can take

Monkeypox continues to circulate in the United States and other countries.

• Find out if you should get vaccinated for monkeypox.
• Get 2 doses of vaccine for the best protection. If you only received one dose, it's never too late to get the second dose.
• Even if you've been vaccinated, continue to reduce your risk of getting monkeypox.
• Seek health care and get tested if you have a rash, even if you have been previously vaccinated or had monkeypox.
• Pay attention to public health and community leaders for advice on how to prevent monkeypox, including potentially changing some parts of your sex life temporarily. Recommendations may include:
  • Short-term changes to your sex life to help limit the spread.
  • Limiting new or multiple sex partners.
  • Avoiding sex in places that might be associated with the spread of monkeypox.

What CDC is doing

CDC and partners are studying how long monkeypox vaccination protects people from getting monkeypox.

CDC works closely with our local and state partners to find out:

• How the virus spreads.
• How many people are vaccinated, if they are fully vaccinated, and when they were vaccinated.

CDC monitors reports of people newly diagnosed with monkeypox after receiving two doses of the vaccine.