Mpox

Mpox (monkeypox) is a rare viral disease spread through close personal contact, including skin-to-skin. It can cause a rash or sores, and flu-like illness. Infections have been increasingly reported in Mississippi and the U.S. Preventive vaccination is recommended for those at risk.

Healthcare Provider Information

Vaccination Against Mpox

Eligibility

Persons 18 and older who meet any one of the following criteria are eligible for two-dose mpox vaccination:

People who have been notified by public health they are contacts to someone with mpox, or people who are aware of close, intimate or sexual contact with someone diagnosed with mpox
Gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, or transgender or nonbinary people who:
- Have multiple or anonymous sex partners, or
- Are living with HIV or receiving medication to prevention HIV infection (PrEP), or
- Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (such as acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis) in the prior 6 months
People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
- Sex at a commercial sex venue, or
- Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring
Sexual partners of people with the above risks
People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
People who are deemed at higher risk for mpox infection by their doctor, medical provider, or clinician.

If you think you are high risk based on this eligibility, don't wait – take action and get vaccinated now.

Where to Get Vaccinations

Mpox vaccinations are available from private medical providers as well as selected county health departments by appointment. See the list below for all vaccination providers and their contact information.

Mpox vaccination locatorEnter your zip code for an online map of vaccination providers
View list of mpox vaccination providers in Mississippi PDF

Free vaccinations from MSDH

Online: Schedule your appointment with our online Mpox Vaccine Scheduler: Get started

By phone: Call tMSDH at 855-767-0170 to determine your eligibility and to make an appointment for vaccination at a participating health department clinic.

How Mpox Is Spread

Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal contact — including skin-to-skin contact such as:

Direct contact with mpox rash, sores or scabs
Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox
Through respiratory droplets from face-to-face contact with a person who has mpox

Mpox does not spread easily without close contact.

This contact can happen during any intimate sexual contact:

Oral, anal, and vaginal sex
Hugging, massage, or touching any body part with mpox sores
Kissing and talking closely
Touching fabrics and objects used by a person with mpox, such as bedding, towels or surfaces that have come into contact with them

Transmission can occur by other types of contact:

Touching fabrics and objects used by a person with mpox, such as bedding, towels or surfaces that have come into contact with them

Many mpox cases have occurred among men who have sex with men, but anyone who comes into close contact with an infected person may be at risk.

What You Need to Know about Mpox if You are a Teen or Young Adult

Mpox Symptoms

Early symptoms of mpox are usually flu-like:

Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion

Other symptoms usually develop a few days later:

A painful rash or sores, sometimes located on or near the genitals or anus, but sometimes in other areas such as the hands, feet, chest or face. These sores will go through several stages before healing.
Sores may be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.

Note: Some people experience a rash or sores first, followed by other symptoms and some only experience a rash or sores.

When you can infect others: Mpox can be spread to others when symptoms begin and until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Healing can take several weeks.

If You Have Symptoms

If you get a new or unexplained rash, especially if you have been in close contact with someone who has mpox:

Isolate at home.
Contact your healthcare provider for testing.

If You or Your Partner Have Mpox

Follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your healthcare provider.
Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.