Understandably, folks have lots of questions about whether there is a vaccine for monkeypox. Here are the answers to a few of these questions.
Does the smallpox vaccine protect you against monkeypox?
If you had a smallpox vaccine many years ago, you cannot depend on it to protect you against monkeypox. The smallpox vaccine hasn’t been widely distributed in the US since 1972. Long-term immunity from the vaccine is unknown.
Does the Chickenpox Vaccine Prevent Monkeypox?
The chickenpox (varicella) vaccine does not prevent monkeypox, nor does a past chickenpox infection.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
The monkeypox vaccine, called Jynneos, is over 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. However, it is not yet available in Connecticut. If and when it becomes available, we will provide an update.
