Mpox (monkeypox) update for our community

For other mpox vaccination clinics in Melbourne, visit the following websites:

Thorne Harbour Health

North Eastern Public Health Unit

South Eastern Public Health Unit

The vaccine for mpox is a two-dose vaccine, preferably administered into the upper arm. There needs to be a minimum of 28 days between doses.  

Vaccination is highly effective, and a person will start to build protection in the days and weeks after their first dose, but it takes two weeks before it is effective. More information about the vaccine is available here. 

Side effects can occur but are usually mild and do not last long. Common side effects include pain where you received the injection, redness, swelling, hardening, or itch; muscle aches; headache; fatigue; nausea; chills; and fever.  

Anyone categorised by public health authorities as a high-risk contact of someone with monkeypox should get the vaccine. Speak to your local public health unit, GP or healthcare professional about vaccine access if you have been told this could apply to you. 

If you have symptoms of mpox it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Consult with your sexual health clinic or GP as soon as possible, and before accessing a vaccine appointment. 

Mpox does not spread easily between people. Transmission may occur through:  

• Close, personal contact including skin-to-skin contact with mpox skin rashes, sores, or scabs. This includes contact during intimate or sexual activity, such as:  

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex 
• Touching and skin-to-skin contact 

• Hugging and kissing.  

• Contact with clothing, bedding, towels or other objects used by an infected person. 
• Respiratory droplets (from coughs or sneezes) from a person with mpox, usually from extended face-to-face contact. 

It is unknown whether mpox is spread via sexual fluids. Although condoms do not provide complete protection against mpox, they can reduce the risk of developing sores on areas that are covered. It is important to practice safe sex and wear a condom when engaging in sexual activity to prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted infections. 

Mpox can affect anyone who comes into direct contact with someone who is infected. However, currently mpox is largely impacting gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.  

People at increased risk of mpox infection include but are not limited to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with me who:  

• are living with HIV  
• have multiple sex partners, participate in group sex or attend sex on premises venues  
• have had a sexually transmitted infection or have been advised to take HIV PrEP 
• have received a recommendation to receive vaccination from other service providers, such as sexual health clinics. 
• Are experiencing homelessness, use drugs or have psychiatric illness. 

To lower their risk of infection, gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with other men can: 

• Get vaccinated.  
• Avoid contact, including sexual contact, with people who are unwell or have compatible symptoms (such as sores). 
• Use a condom when engaging in any sort of sexual activity. This can reduce the chance of getting sores in sensitive areas and prevent other sexually transmitted infections. 
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact, especially with anyone with a rash or sores. 

• Wash hands often. 

People with mpox may get a range of symptoms throughout the illness. Symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and include:  

• A rash on or near the genitals or near the anus, or on other parts of the body such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or inside of the mouth. 
• Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and backache, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes.  

• Respiratory symptoms like sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. 

The rash can look different from person to person and during different times of the illness. It can resemble a pimple or a blister, that can later develop a scab. It might have one spot or many. It may also be painful or itchy. 

Usually if an infected person has flu-like symptoms, they will develop a rash 1-4 days later. However, some people may develop a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Other people may only experience a rash.  

If you develop mpox symptoms, and particularly if you develop a rash, you should isolate away from others and seek medical care at your GP clinic, the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, or your nearest sexual health service. Call ahead of time to let them know you will be attending so they can ensure you are isolated away from others. If you have a rash or blisters, make sure these are covered, and make sure you wear a mask to prevent spread to others. 

It is important that people with symptoms avoid close contact with others, including sharing beds, touching skin-to-skin, and sexual activity. 

Mpox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. 

If you are travelling overseas and are sexually active whilst travelling, or if you attend large parties or other places where sex or intimate contact or other skin-to-skin contact occurs, vaccination is recommended 4-6 weeks before departure. 

Seek advice from local health authorities if you think you might have been exposed. 

If you have recently returned from overseas and were sexually active whilst travelling or attended large parties where sex or intimate or other skin-to-skin contact occurred, we advise you watch for symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you should seek medical attention and isolate away from others.