This appointment is for the JYNNEOS Smallpox & Monkeypox (MPOX) Vaccine

You must be at least 18 years old to receive the JYNNEOS Smallpox & Monkeypox Vaccine at Pucci's Pharmacy. You must meet at least one of the criteria as defined below or you will not be eligible for vaccination at this time.  

Please DO NOT schedule to receive the JYNNEOS Smallpox & Monkeypox Vaccine if you are under 18 years old and/or you do not meet the criteria below. We appreciate your cooperation. 

If you are under 18 years old but consider yourself to be high risk because you meet at least one of the criteria below and/or you have been exposed, please contact Sacramento County Public Health Immunization Assistance Program at 916-875-5881.

About the MPOX vaccine:
Vaccination helps to protect against MPX when given before or shortly after an exposure. Sacramento County Public Health (SCPH) receives limited doses of JYNNEOS vaccine, which is indicated for prevention of MPOX. It is given as a two dose subcutaneous injection at least four weeks apart.

Vaccine is being prioritized for individuals at highest risk for exposure to MPOX at this time.

Who should get vaccinated? 

Vaccine providers can offer the vaccine to patients who may be at risk and persons who request vaccination. Emphasis is on vaccination of priority groups:
• Anyone living with HIV
• Any man or trans person who has sex with men or trans persons
• People who use or are eligible for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Sex workers
• Sexual partners of the above groups
• People who have had direct skin-to-skin contact with one or more people AND who know others in their community who have had MPX infection
• People who have been diagnosed with a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past 3 months
• People who anticipate experiencing the above risks

What is Monkeypox? 
Monkeypox (MPOX) is a rare illness caused by a virus that is related to the smallpox virus. While generally less severe and much less infectious than smallpox, MPOX can be a serious illness. It causes fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, a general feeling of discomfort, exhaustion, and severe rash. The illness lasts 2-4 weeks. 

How does it spread? 
The virus is not easily spread between people, but it can spread through contact with bodily fluids as well as through large respiratory droplets that do not travel more than a few feet.

Why is it recommended? 
Vaccines can be used to help prevent symptoms when given before exposure for those that qualify and/or who may be at higher risk. 

What vaccine is used? 

JYNNEOS is a vaccine indicated for prevention of MPOX disease. It is administered as two dose subcutaneous injection at least four weeks apart. People who receive JYNNEOS are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after they receive the second dose of the vaccine.

Is the vaccine effective? 
Smallpox and monkeypox vaccines are effective at protecting people against MPOX when given before exposure to MPOX. Experts also believe that vaccination after a MPOX exposure may help prevent the disease or make it less severe.

According to the US Food & Drug Administration, Jynneos is indicated for prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults. However, since no vaccine is 100 percent effective, it is important for individuals to reduce their risk of potential exposures to monkeypox both before and after being vaccinated. 

Will I have side effects? 
Most people who get the MPOX vaccine have only minor reactions, like mild fever, tiredness, swollen glands, and redness and itching at the place where the vaccine is given.