MPV resource guide
On Thursday, August 4, 2022, "monkeypox" was declared a National Public Health Emergency. To help stop the spread, the Caribbean Equality Project has created an MPV Education, Treatment, and Vaccine Resource Guide. To view the resource guide, click here.
Using the term “monkeypox” can perpetuate racism and harmful racialized discrimination, which disproportionately impacts Black people, POC communities, and LGBTQ+ people. The Caribbean Equality Project’s resource guide will refer to the “monkeypox” virus as MPV to dismantle medical trauma and center racial justice as we educate and protect community members.
What is MPV
MPV is a disease that can make you sick, including a rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, often with an earlier flu-like illness. While the current outbreak in New York City has high rates of known cases among gay, bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender, and non-binary people, this virus is not limited by gender or sexuality. It can spread to anyone and anywhere, through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.
MPV is a disease caused by the "monkeypox" virus, which is in the same family as smallpox, although much less severe. Its name is characterized by the pox illness that occurs upon infection, leading to an outbreak of lesions spreading from the face to the rest of the body, including the genital areas.
Vaccination
Eligible New Yorkers who may have been recently exposed to MPV can get the JYNNEOS vaccine. Vaccination is free and available regardless of immigration status.
Getting vaccinated after a recent exposure may reduce your chance of getting MPV, and it can reduce symptoms if you contract the virus.
People should get two doses, at least 28 days apart.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is now recommended for all age groups at risk for infection. At this time, people who had MPV during this outbreak are not recommended to get vaccinated.
Vaccine Eligibility
Eligibility for MPV vaccination may change as the outbreak evolves and is based on vaccine supply.
People who meet all of the following conditions can now be vaccinated:
Gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men (MSM), and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary
Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days
Sex workers and anyone engaging in survival sex or any other types of transactional sex (including sex in exchange for money, food, shelter, or other goods) of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
People who have been informed by the NYC Health Department that they are in close contact with someone with MPV should also get vaccinated.
If you are eligible to be vaccinated, you should especially consider getting vaccinated if:
Your partners are showing symptoms of MPV, such as a rash or sores.
You met recent partners through online applications or social media platforms (such as Grindr, Tinder, or Scruff) or at clubs, raves, sex parties, saunas, or other large gatherings.
You have a condition that may increase your risk for severe disease if infected with the MPV virus, such as HIV or another condition that weakens your immune system, or you have a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema.
Even after getting vaccinated, you should still take precautions, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness from MPV.
How To Get Vaccinated
Schedule an appointment online here: https://vax4nyc.nyc.gov/patient/s/monkeypox
To schedule an appointment by phone: Call 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692
Assistance for people with disabilities:
People with disabilities can get help making a vaccination appointment at an accessible site, traveling to their appointment, and getting their vaccine. People with disabilities can select their reasonable accommodations online, or if they need help making an appointment because of a disability, they can call 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692 or email hubaccess@health.nyc.gov.
Free transportation is available if you are either over the age of 65 or have a disability, and you:
Cannot use public transportation
Cannot use private transportation
Cannot rely on friends or family members for transport
There are several programs available to facilitate transportation to a vaccination site:
People with access-a-Ride access can contact them at (877) 337-2017.
People with Medicaid-provided transportation can use their usual contact number to schedule transport. Alternatively, they can call (844) 666-6270.
Resources
Sign up for alerts about monkeypox appointments by texting MONKEYPOX (or MONKEYPOXESP for Spanish) to 692-692.
To learn more about the monkeypox virus, visit:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
Human Rights Campaign https://www.hrc.org/resources/monkeypox-and-what-you-need-to-know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
