Mpox
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral illness that primarily spreads through skin-to-skin contact, although it can also spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. It is endemic in some countries but not the United States, though several countries, including the United States, have seen cases in 2022.
Confirmed and probable cases in Maricopa County as of 3/21/2023
Data are updated weekly on Wednesday mornings with reports as of close of business Tuesday
| Confirmed and probable cases | |
| Total | 488 |
For more data, see the CDC case counts map. Please note, CDC updates this map daily Monday-Friday.
Vaccine Availability
Currently, limited vaccine doses are available; however, there is enough of a supply to vaccinate those who are at higher risk of getting mpox.
The focus of vaccine eligibility requirements is on those who are at higher risk of being exposed so that people can get vaccinated before being exposed. The goal is to maximize PrEP, (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
If you have been identified as a close contact of someone diagnosed with mpox and are interested in post-exposure prophylaxis with the JYNNEOS vaccine, please contact the MCDPH CARES Team at 602-506-6767 to make an appointment.
- People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with mpox
- People who in the past 12 months have had:
- A new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted diseases (i.e., acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
- More than one sex partner
- People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
- Sex at a commercial sex venue
- 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
- Health care providers who work in settings where exposure to mpox infection is anticipated on a daily basis, such as:
- Lab workers who routinely work with mpox specimens
- Health care providers who work in sexual health/STI clinics
- Health care providers who work in settings primarily serving LGBTQIA+ communities
Note: The vaccine is NOT recommended for the majority of healthcare providers at this time UNLESS they have a known mpox exposure. Only providers who work in settings where exposure to mpox infection is anticipated on a daily basis OR have had high risk exposure to an individual diagnosed with mpox are eligible for vaccination.
Anyone who fits into one or more of these categories can choose to get vaccinated against mpox.
The mpox vaccine is available through various health care providers throughout the county. Please contact your provider to determine availability.
Mpox vaccine is also available at all Maricopa County Department of Public Health clinics. Contact the MCDPH CARES Team at 602-506-6767 to make an appointment.
Upcoming Events
- Free Vaccines at Off Chute Too
4111 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013- Fridays in March 2023
4:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Saturday, March 4 and Saturday, March 18
12 - 4 p.m. - Vaccines offered:
- Mpox (Jynneos) ages 18+
- Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 bivalent boosters for ages 18+
- Hepatitis A ages 19+
- Fridays in March 2023
About Vaccine Events
Any community vaccination events held by Maricopa County Department of Public Health will be posted to this page.
Vaccine in Arizona is in limited supply and is currently being distributed through three counties:
- Maricopa County (central Arizona)
- Supporting residents of Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, and Pinal counties
- Coconino County (northern Arizona)
- Supporting residents of Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai counties
- Pima County (southern Arizona)
- Supporting residents of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties
Vaccine Consent Forms
Vaccine Information Sheets
Second doses are recommended at least four weeks after the first dose. Maximum immunity from the vaccine is expected about two weeks after the second dose. The vaccine is the most effective weapon to stop the spread of the virus. Getting the second dose and completing the series is the best way to gain the highest level of protection for yourself, and those around you.
If you get infected before or after your first dose: CDC does not recommend vaccination after infection unless you are immunocompromised. Individuals who are immunocompromised are recommended to get two doses of the vaccine even if they have been infected.
If you have questions, call the MCDPH CARES Team at 602-506-6767 for answers. They're available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Jynneos vaccine is approved to be given at a smaller dose between layers of the skin (intradermal), rather than a larger dose under the skin (subcutaneous). This allows more people to get vaccinated from each vial of vaccine. Even though it is a smaller dose, it has been shown to lead to a similar immune response as the original dose given subcutaneously. Intradermal injections have been associated with more frequent local side effects such as redness or swelling compared to subcutaneous injections but these side effects are not permanent nor do they mean that the vaccine was not given correctly.
The CDC has expanded the locations on the body the intradermal injection can be administered to include the skin over the shoulder blade and deltoid. The forearm remains the preferred location, but the additional locations maintain effectiveness while also allowing for greater discretion for those receiving the vaccine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 are smallpox vaccines that have been approved for use to prevent mpox. Because it is better tolerated with fewer side effects, Maricopa County Department of Public Health is only administering JYNNEOS vaccine to prevent mpox at this time.
If you have completed the prescribed course for either of these vaccines in the last 3 years, you do not need additional vaccination against mpox. Smallpox vaccination that occurred more than 3 years ago will likely provide some protection against mpox but is not considered fully protective. If your smallpox vaccine was greater than three years ago and you are eligible for Jynneos vaccine you should be vaccinated.
The side effects of Jynneos depend in part on whether it is injected subcutaneously or intradermally. In general, many people experience common, mild reactions, which usually go away without treatment within a day or two:
- Soreness and/or redness where you received the vaccination
- Enlarged and/or sore glands (lymph nodes) in your armpits
- Low fever
- Redness and swelling is slightly more common with intradermal injections and soreness at the injection site is more common with a subcutaneous injection.
For the complete list and explanation of potential mpox/smallpox vaccine side effects, visit the CDC's page on vaccine side effects.
Clinical data indicates intradermal administration (injecting the vaccine between layers of the skin) of the JYNNEOS vaccine is effective in triggering a similar antibody response even at the lower dose.
For a detailed explanation of the JYNNEOS vaccine, visit the CDC's page on JYNNEOS vaccine.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is given in the tricep (subcutaneous) or the forearm (intradermal) because those locations allow for ease of positioning to the appropriate tissues. The vaccine injection route (subcutaneous or intradermal) puts the vaccine into the appropriate space to elicit the best immune response and ensure vaccine effectiveness.
JYNNEOSTM is administered as a live virus that is non-replicating. This means the virus has been genetically modified so that it cannot reproduce.
Mpox typically begins with:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.
- Some people experience a rash or sores first, followed by other symptoms and some people only experience a rash or sores
- The rash or sores are sometimes located on or near the genitals or anus, but sometimes in other areas like the hands, feet, chest or face – sores will go through several stages before healing (see below)
- Sores may be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus
The rash may begin as small, flat, round discolorations that become raised and fluid-filled (clear or pus) before scabbing. These spots and the fluid in them carry virus that can infect others. Once scabs fall off, the area is no longer infectious.
The illness typically lasts for 2−4 weeks. Most patients with Mpox fully recover from the virus without treatment.
If you have symptoms, including any unexplained rash: Please call your healthcare provider and inform them of your symptoms. If you do not have a healthcare provider, you can find one at FindHelpPhx.org or call (602) 506-6767 for assistance.
Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:
- Direct contact with mpox rash, sores, fluid, or scabs
- Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox
- Through respiratory droplets or oral fluids from a person with mpox
This contact can happen during intimate sexual contact including:
- Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals or anus of a person with mpox
- Hugging, massage, or kissing and talking closely
- Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with mpox
We know the virus can be spread in fluid or pus from mpox sores, and are trying to better understand if the virus could be present in semen, vaginal fluids or other body fluids.
According to the CDC, a person is more likely to develop mpox if they:
- Report having contact with a person or people with a similar appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable mpox
OR - Had close or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing mpox activity; this includes men who have sex with men (MSM) who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)
OR - Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of mpox or where Mpox virus is endemic
OR - Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)
Take the following steps to prevent getting mpox:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a new rash.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
- Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
Most people get well from mpox without needing any medicines or other treatment. There is no medicine that the FDA has approved for mpox treatment. However, Tecovirimat (TPOXX or ST-246) is an antiviral medication available for the treatment of mpox infection.
Maricopa County Department of Public Health cannot directly consult with the public on TPOXX. If you believe you could benefit from TPOXX, talk with your primary care provider and have your PCP reach out to MCDPH to discuss TPOXX treatment options.
As most cases of mpox resolve without treatment and are not severe, referral for testing to local emergency departments/urgent care centers is not usually necessary. Please see the SURV alert from 7/13/2022 for more details on testing options.
Please note: the phone number listed in the SURV alert is for provider use only. You may refer patients to the MCDPH CARES Team at (602) 506-6767.
For more healthcare provider information, visit our Healthcare Provider page.
For more information, visit CDC.gov/mpox and mpox FAQs.