Mpox
For more information contact:
Call (413) 586-2016 x121
Monday - Friday, 8AM-4PM
Vaccine Elegibility Requirements
Vaccination will be available to individuals who live or work in Massachusetts and meet the CDC’s current eligibility criteria.
- Known contacts Identified by public health via case investigation contact tracing and risk exposure assessments (this may include sexual partners, household contacts, and health workers) as well as
- Presumed contacts who meet the following criteria:
- Know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with Mpox
- Had multiple sexual partner in the past 14 days in a jurisdiction with known Mpox
VACCINE INFORMATION
The JYNNEOS vaccine requires two shots, 28 days apart for maximum effectiveness. People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after their second shot. However, people who get vaccinated should continue to protect themselves from infection by avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact, including intimate contact, with someone who has Mpox.
SYMPTOMS
Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
If you have a new or Unexplained Rash or Other Symptoms...
Avoid close contact including sex, or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health center near you.
When you see a healthcare provider, wear a mask, and remind them that this virus is circulating in the area.
TESTING
FROM CDC REGARDING TESTING:
What to Expect When You Get Tested
Currently, testing of suspected monkeypox is available at all of our Tapestry Health clinics.
Testing is only recommended if you have an active rash/lesion consistent with Mpox. There is NO blood test for Mpox.
- You will likely need to fill out paperwork before you get tested.
- To get a specimen to test, the healthcare provider will use a swab to rub vigorously across lesions of your rash. They will take swabs from more than one lesion.
- To get a specimen to test, the healthcare provider will use a swab to rub vigorously across lesions of your rash. They will take swabs from more than one lesion.
- This swabbing may be uncomfortable but is necessary to get enough material to detect the Mpox virus from the specimens.
- The specimens will be tested in a lab to see if the Mpox virus is detected.
Results are usually available within a few days.
While you are waiting for your results, take precautions to avoid getting or spreading Mpox virus to others.
Western Mass Locations for Vaccines & Testing
Tapestry (Springfield):
413-586-2016, extension 121
Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM.
1985 Main Street Springfield, MA 01103
Tapestry (Northampton):
413-586-2016, extension 121
Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM
16 Center Street Suite 415 Northampton, MA 01060
Additional testing and vaccination locations will be available through Tapestry Health clinics in the coming months.
VACCINATION WALK-IN HOURS
Call in advance in you would like to confirm wait times and availability.
Tuesdays, 9:00-11:00AM
Holyoke Harm Reduction
306 Race St
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 315-3732
Thursdays, 9:00-11:00AM
Springfield Harm Reduction
1985 Main St
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 363-9472
Thursdays, 11:30PM-1:30PM
Mobile Health Van parked at:
Pulaski Park
240 Main St
Northampton, MA 01060
BACKGROUND/FAQs
Mpox is caused by Mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. This is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. MPXV produces symptoms that are milder but similar in nature to smallpox. It is not related to Chickenpox.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic desease first found in 1958 among laboratory monkeys in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first human case was in the 1970 in Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has had viral reservoirs in African rodents and non-human primates
The WHO has remanned the virus due to racism and stigma concerns. This current outbreak in Europe, North America, Israel, and Australia has disproportionally affected the Gay, Bisexual and MSM (Men who Sleep with Men) community, leading to stigma and misinformation.
