Monkeypox Vaccine Guidance (CDC, 2022)

Clinical guidance on monkeypox and smallpox vaccination was updated in June 2022 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).{ref1}

ACIP recommends that individuals with occupations that may expose them to orthopoxvirus diseases receive pre-exposure prophylaxis with either JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) or ACAM2000. Examples of such occupations include healthcare workers as designated by public health authorities, clinical laboratory personnel directly involved with orthopoxvirus testing, and research laboratory personnel handling orthopoxvirus cultures.

Currently, most clinicians in the United States and laboratory workers who are not performing the orthopoxvirus generic test to diagnose orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox, are not advised to receive orthopoxvirus preexposure prophylaxis. Consult with laboratory biosafety officers and supervisors regarding risks and precautions.

If a person is exposed to monkeypox virus and has not received smallpox vaccination within the last 3 years, the CDC recommends administration of JYNNEOS within 4 days of exposure for disease prevention. Vaccination may mitigate symptoms without preventing the disease if received within 4-14 days of exposure.

For more information, please go to Monkeypox.

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Cite this: Monkeypox Vaccine Guidance (CDC, 2022) - Medscape - Aug 12, 2022.