MSM, please get Mpox vaccine before numbers spike

A vaccine against Mpox is highly effective and recommended for men who have sex with men. Credit: pexels.com

A year ago in May, we started hearing about the virus Mpox (formerly called Monkeypox).

This wasn’t a new virus, but sexual contact was a new way it was being transmitted. Advocates, patients, and health care providers mobilized right away to stop the spread.

What also helped was we had a vaccine that was available for quick distribution.  

Recently, the New York state Department of Health and the CDC published results of studies that showed this vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine, was highly effective in protecting against Mpox.

The research showed that two doses of JYNNEOS were better than one, and one was better than none at reducing infection.

We needed recent information in people to add to the science.

So science matters.

We can’t be overly confident and think Mpox is over because we’re still seeing small numbers of new infections. There was an outbreak in Chicago just about a month ago.

So it's still very much a part of what's going on here. If you have not had two doses of Mpox vaccine, please do it. Do it before the numbers increase again. And who should get it? Men who have sex with men.

Monkeypox vaccines are available for ages 18+ at the Trillium Health Clinic, located at 259 Monroe Avenue. Call (585) 545-7200 to schedule an appointment.