MPX (Monkeypox) Vaccination Expression of Interest
MPX is a viral illness causing a distinctive rash of bumps that turn into blisters and pimples that may burst to form ulcers and eventually scab over. Other symptoms include: headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, joint and back pain, and fatigue. While most people recover from MPX in 2-4 weeks without any treatment, for some people, the disease can be serious.
Since May 2022, MPX infections have been reported in multiple countries around the world where the illness is not usually seen. This includes Australia.
How is MPX transmitted?
The MPX virus is transmitted by close personal contact with someone who has MPX. This includes:
- prolonged face to face interactions – the virus is present in droplets that come from the infected person’s nose and throat
- direct contact with the rash of the infected person, including via close physical contact such as hugging, kissing and sex
- touching linen or clothes contaminated with fluid or scabs from the infected person
Prevention
People who have MPX should isolate from others until the rash has fully cleared.
The infected person should wash their own linen and clothes. If others need to touch linen or clothing used by an infected person, they should wear gloves and a mask.
People at high risk of infection should seek vaccination.
Vaccination
There are very limited supplies of the vaccine against MPX, Jynneos®, available in Queensland. You may be eligible for vaccination if you are:
- Gay, bisexual or a man who has sex with men AND
- Living with HIV or
- Taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or
- Someone who has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the last 3 months or
- Someone who has a recent history of multiple sexual partners or attending sex on premises venues or
- Planning travel to a country experiencing a significant outbreak in the next 3 months
- A sex worker whose clients include gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men
More information on the vaccine and who is recommended to be vaccinated is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
If you think you may be eligible and are interested in being vaccinated, please complete the expression of interest form.
