Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, cases are on the rise here in the U.S., with nearly double the number of infections compared to the same time last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
While the magnitude of the outbreak experienced in 2022 – where national cases topped 32,000 – is largely over, some high-risk groups need to continue taking precautions, experts say.
“Most of the cases that we’re seeing reported are either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, meaning they either never received a vaccine, or they only got one dose,” Dr. Jenni McQuiston, deputy director of the CDC’s high consequence pathogens and pathology division told ABC News.
The Jynneos vaccine comes in two doses and is recommended for those who have been exposed to someone with mpox as well as those who had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was infected. There are currently no recommendations for a booster. Locations offering the free vaccine can be found on the CDC website.
Others eligible for the shot are those who identify as gay, bisexual, or a man who has sex with other men who have had more than one sexual partner or been diagnosed with more than one sexually transmitted disease in the past six months. Those with immune-compromising conditions, such as HIV, are also eligible.