Mpox continues to circulate in Australia. Meridian encourages people at risk of mpox to get vaccinated, know the symptoms to look out for and get tested if symptoms develop.
Getting vaccinated reduces the likelihood of getting severe symptoms and helps limit the spread of mpox.
Who can be vaccinated (in the ACT):
- Sexually active gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (cis and trans)
- Sex workers, particularly those whose clients are at risk of mpox exposure
- People living with HIV, if at risk of mpox exposure
- Sexual partners of GBMSM, sex workers and people living with HIV
- Laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses
- Healthcare workers at risk of exposure to patients with mpox
- Any person (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) travelling to countries with ongoing transmission of clade 1 mpox, who may undertake sexual activities that place them at risk of mpox exposure
Two doses are needed, at a minimum of 28 days apart. Vaccination is free and a Medicare card is not required.
Find out where you can get the vaccine in the ACT here.
If you are outside of the ACT, you can find other mpox vaccination clinics in Australia at Emen8.
MPOX: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is mpox?
- What are the symptoms of mpox?
- What do I do if I have symptoms?
- How is mpox transmitted?
- How is mpox treated?
- What is the vaccine that protects against mpox?
- Who can get the mpox vaccine?
- Where can I get the mpox vaccine?
- What can I do to prevent mpox?
- Am I at greater risk if I'm HIV-positive?
- Where can I get more information?
What is mpox?
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection that can affect anyone. Symptoms of mpox seen in Australia and Europe include making you feel unwell, and develop painful rashes, lesions or sores. Local transmission is happening in Australia.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Mpox symptoms can include skin lesions, sores or a rash alongside headache, fever, muscle aches, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. Usually, these symptoms occur 3-21 days after exposure. Symptoms vary from mild to severe.
Mpox rash, lesions or sores can present in areas that are hard to see, like the genitals, anus, anal area, or in the mouth. They can also present on the face, arms, chest, back, and legs. The rash, lesions, or sores can look different from person to person, they may look like pimples, blisters, or other STIs like herpes or syphilis.
The symptoms go through different stages as the body’s immune system responds to the virus. Typically, lesions will fill with fluid, become inflamed (red and sore to touch), before becoming a scab and falling off to reveal a new layer of skin.
People with mpox may be infectious up to 4 days before symptoms start.
People with mpox are infectious until:
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- all the lesions (sores) have crusted and scabs have fallen off leaving a fresh layer of skin underneath
- any rectal pain is completely gone.
Most people with mpox get better within a few weeks without needing any specific treatment.
What do I do if I have symptoms?
If you develop symptoms as described above, you should stay at home and call a GP clinic or the Canberra Sexual Health Clinic on (02) 5124 2184. Usually, you will be offered a telehealth appointment in the first instance.
If you need to attend an in-person appointment as part of a diagnosis, you should wear a mask and cover any lesions with dressings and clothing where possible.
Things to remember:
How is mpox transmitted?
Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact with someone who has the virus. This includes contact with skin rashes, body fluids (e.g. semen), sores and scabs. Some sores/scabs can be hidden, such as inside the mouth, throat, or rectal area. It can also spread through clothing, towels, and bedding.
Mpox isn't a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but in Australia, it is mainly spreading through sexual contact, including kissing.
How is mpox treated?
Most people experience mild illness which can be managed at home and recover in a few weeks without needing specific treatment. However, some people may experience severe pain, which needs medical attention. Unvaccinated people have a greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
Medications are available that may help to treat people with severe illness, such as those with weakened immune systems. We encourage seeking medical advice if you are concerned.
What is the vaccine that protects against mpox?
A vaccine called JYNNEOS is approved for use in Australia and can prevent the spread and severity of the mpox virus. To be fully vaccinated, two doses of the vaccine are needed at least 28 days apart. You will have the strongest protection from two weeks after the second vaccine.
For more information about the mpox vaccine in the ACT, visit ACT Health.
Who can get the mpox vaccine?
People who are currently eligible in the ACT include:
- Sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
- Sex workers, particularly those whose clients are at risk of mpox exposure
- People living with HIV, if at risk of mpox exposure
- Laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses
- Any person (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) travelling to countries with ongoing transmission of clade 1 mpox, who may undertake sexual activities that place them at risk of mpox exposure
Vaccination may also be considered for:
- Healthcare workers at risk of exposure to patients with mpox
- Sexual partners of GBMSM, sex workers and people living with HIV
The vaccine can also be used as post-exposure prevention for anyone who has been a close contact of someone with monkeypox in the past 14 days. ACT Health will advise on the need for post-exposure vaccination if you have been identified as a contact of someone with mpox infection.
For more information about the mpox vaccine in the ACT, visit ACT Health.
Where can I get the mpox vaccine?
Vaccinations are available at Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Capital Chemist University of Canberra, Interchange Health Co-operative, Meridian Ochre Medical Centre Bruce, Pharmacy on Northbourne, Travel Doctor-TMVC and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.
- Canberra Sexual Health Centre – call (02) 5124 2184 to book
- Capital Chemist University of Canberra - Walk-ins available
- Interchange Health Co-operative – call (02) 6247 5742 or online at www.ihco.net.au/book-online
- Meridian - dates/times as above.
- Ochre Medical Centre Bruce – call (02) 6180 8500 to book
- Pharmacy on Northbourne - Walk-ins available
- Travel Doctor-TMVC - call (02) 6222 2300 to book
- Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services - call 02 6284 6222 to book (For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only)
Further details about vaccine clinics and making a booking can be found here. If you are outside of the ACT, you can find other mpox vaccination clinics in Australia at Emen8.
What can I do to prevent mpox?
Vaccination is one way you can prevent an mpox infection. Even if you're vaccinated, it’s still important to take steps to reduce your risk of exposure or spreading mpox.
You can reduce your risk of contracting mpox by:
- Avoiding close physical contact, including sexual contact, with people who have mpox or have mpox symptoms as described above.
- Avoiding contact with clothing, bedding or towels that have been in contact with or used by people with mpox.
- Exchanging contact information with your sexual partners. This will assist with contact tracing if one of you gets mpox.
- Stay alert for mpox symptoms before, during and after sex. Check yourself for signs before meeting up.
At festivals, clubs and parties:
To protect yourself and your community at events, you can:
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- Seek information from trusted sources like local health authorities, particularly when travelling and overseas
- Check yourself for symptoms before you leave home. If you feel unwell or have a rash or sores, do not attend the event or venue. Self-isolate and seek medical attention.
- Consider the event you are planning to attend and how much skin-to-skin contact is likely to happen.
- Festivals, concerts, or other events when people are fully clothed are low risk, but close physical contact (like kissing) may spread mpox.
- Parties, clubs, or other events when less clothing is worn and have a higher likelihood of skin-to-skin contact has some risk. Avoid rashes and sores you see on others and minimise skin-to-skin contact.
- Sex parties, saunas, sex on premises venues, and other events in enclosed spaces with intimate sexual contact carry a higher risk of mpox transmission, read below for tips to reduce risk during sex and intimate contact.
During sex:
It’s always important to be self-aware and in the know when it comes to your health. So, monitor for symptoms before, during and after sex. If you or a partner has mpox, the best way to protect yourself and others is to avoid any skin-to-skin contact, especially with any rash, lesions or sores. Self-isolate and seek medical attention immediately.
Ways to reduce your risk of mpox during sex include:
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- Use a condom during sex (Condoms might not protect you from mpox. However, sex with a condom may help avoid painful lesions inside your ass (anal and rectal areas), mouth, and throat. Condoms also prevent the transmission of other STIs and HIV.).
- Practice good hygiene after sex such as washing your hands and sex toys
- Exchange contact information with your sexual partners to assist with contact tracing if needed
- Using virtual methods (e.g. phone or webcam) with no person-to-person contact
- Masturbate together without touching each other
- Reduce as much skin-to-skin contact as possible by leaving clothing on
- Avoid kissing
- Avoid sharing sex toys
If you have recently returned from overseas…
People who have recently returned from overseas and who develop any mpox symptoms, particularly an unusual rash, should stay home and call Canberra Sexual Health Centre or a GP.
If you are planning to travel overseas…
If you are planning to travel overseas, it is important to stay informed and remain aware of any mpox news and developments. Vaccination is the most effective tool for mpox prevention. If you are planning to travel, vaccination is recommended 6 weeks before departure. Follow public health alerts and advice from local health authorities of the countries you are visiting and stay up to date with event updates before and after visiting any large events.
Am I at greater risk if I'm HIV-positive?
People living with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral treatment face no higher risk than those who are HIV negative. However, if someone has a significantly weakened immune system and isn't taking HIV antiviral drugs, mpox can be more severe and last longer.
Where can I get more information?
Here are some sources of information: