Public Health Expands Monkeypox Vaccination Eligibility

Public Health has expanded eligibility to the monkeypox vaccine to closely align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent expansion, which includes individuals in select occupational groups whose jobs may expose them to orthopoxviruses (such as monkeypox).

Monkeypox vaccine will be available to residents who self-attest to being in the following groups:

• Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men or transgender people who have sex with men or other transgender people
• Persons of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex
• Persons living with HIV, especially persons with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease
• Persons who had skin-to-skin or intimate contact with someone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox, including those who have not yet been confirmed by Public Health
• (NEW) Sexual partners of people in any of the above groups
• (NEW) People who anticipate being in any of the above groups

Monkeypox vaccine is also available for persons in select occupational groups whose may be exposed to orthopoxviruses including:

• Research laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses
• Clinical laboratory personnel performing diagnostic testing for orthopoxviruses
• Designated public health response team members
• Health care personnel who administer ACAM2000 (Smallpox [Vaccinia] Vaccine)
• Designated health care workers who care for persons with suspected or confirmed orthopoxvirus infections, including clinicians and environmental services personnel

The risk of monkeypox transmission remains very low for health care workers if appropriate personal protective equipment is worn and other infection control practices are followed.

Eligible residents can go to a Public vaccinating site or visit Myturn.ca.gov to find other vaccinating sites near you.