Vaccination is an important tool in preventing the spread of monkeypox. However, since the current vaccine supply is limited, consider temporarily changing some behaviors that may increase your risk of being exposed. This will help slow the spread of monkeypox until more vaccines are available.

The best way to protect yourself from monkeypox is to avoid sex and other intimate contact with multiple or anonymous partners. 

More information about monkeypox prevention is available online. You can also talk with a nurse by phone.

Online

Learn how to protect yourself and others from monkeypox.

By Phone

Symptoms usually start seven to 14 days after exposure. In some cases they may not appear for up to 21 days.

The most common symptom is a rash or sores that look like pimples or blisters. These may be all over your body or only on certain parts, such as the face, hands, or feet. The rash or sores may also be inside your mouth, genitals, or anus. Symptoms can last for two to four weeks.

Before or when the rash appears, you may have flu-like symptoms. This includes fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, and tiredness. In some cases, monkeypox can cause severe illness.

Experiencing Symptoms

If you start experiencing symptoms, even if they are mild, isolate from others immediately and talk to your health care provider. They will check your symptoms and may order testing.

You can talk with a nurse by phone if you don't have a health care provider.

You should only get tested for monkeypox if you are experiencing symptoms. Testing involves a provider taking a swab of a sore.

If you have a new or unexpected rash or other symptoms of monkeypox, you should see a doctor or other health care provider for testing. They will check your symptoms and may order testing.  The Health Department does not provide monkeypox testing.

Only your doctor or health care provider — not the Health Department — can give you the test result. While you are waiting for your test result, which can take a few days, isolate from others.

You can talk with a nurse by phone if you don’t have a health care provider and want some advice on how to find a healthcare provider who can do testing for Monkeypox.

The monkeypox vaccine is available for New Yorkers meeting certain eligibility requirements.

Vaccination is free and available regardless of immigration status. This vaccine has been approved by the FDA for the prevention of monkeypox in people ages 18 and older.

Visit nyc.gov/health/monkeypox for the latest updates about monkeypox vaccines.

Eligibility

Anyone can get and spread monkeypox. Eligibility has so far been limited to people who meet certain conditions.

People who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible to be vaccinated:

• People who are 18 and older who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days and identify as at least one of the following:
  • A man (cisgender or transgender) who has sex with cis or transgender men or transgender women
  • Transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary (regardless of the gender of your sex partners)

• Sex workers and anyone engaging in survival sex or any other type of transactional sex (for example, sex in exchange for shelter, food, money, and other goods) of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Eligibility may change as the outbreak evolves and vaccine supply changes.

Close Contacts

If you have been informed by the Health Department that you are a close contact of someone who has monkeypox, do not make a vaccination appointment yourself. The Health Department will provide you with instructions about where to get vaccinated.

Experiencing Symptoms

People who have a fever, rash, or sores that may be monkeypox cannot get vaccinated. Instead, they should separate from others and contact a doctor or other health care provider. If you do not have a doctor or other health care provider, visit the Find a Doctor page.

Vaccination Appointments

You do not need an appointment to get the monkeypox vaccine, though appointments are still recommended.

Appointments can be scheduled online or by phone.

To prove your identity and age, you must bring one of the following to your vaccination appointment:

• Driver’s license or non-driver ID
• IDNYC
• Birth certificate issued by a state or local government
• Current U.S. passport or valid foreign passport
• Permanent resident card
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Life insurance policy with birthdate
• Marriage certificate with birthdate

Online

Visit vax4nyc.nyc.gov/monkeypox for a list of walk-in vaccine sites or to schedule an appointment.

By Phone

There is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox. Most people get well on their own without treatment.

There is an antiviral medicine for some people who have tested positive for Monkeypox. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider about getting the medicine.

You can talk with a nurse by phone if you want some advice on how to find a health care provider who can prescribe the medicine.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has a dedicated phone line for use by doctors, nurses, and other health care providers.

If you are a doctor, nurse, or other health care provider, you can get information about monkeypox, including:

• Risks
• Symptoms
• Testing
• Treatment

You can also report a possible case of monkeypox.

If you want to order materials about monkeypox, including posters and palm cards, visit the Health and Mental Hygiene Literature page instead.