Published on August 09, 2022

Monkeypox FAQs

Monkeypox Virus

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.

How is Monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

  • Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
  • Contact with respiratory secretions.
  • Prolonged face-to-face contact.
  • A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

What are the symptoms of Monkeypox?

The infected person may develop symptoms from several days to a few weeks after he/she has been infected. Symptoms may include:

  • flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms followed by a rash.
  • a rash followed by other symptoms
    or
  • only a rash

What do I do if I think I have Monkeypox?

  • Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
  • Isolate yourself from those around you and wear a mask if you have to be around others.
    • You need to isolate for the full duration of the illness which ends once the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

How long do Monkeypox symptoms last?

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. Please keep in mind that monkeypox 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.

What is the treatment for Monkeypox?

In the vast majority of cases, patients have mild illness that requires only supportive care and does not require hospitalization. Some patients with conditions that put them at higher risk for developing severe disease may be eligible for treatment with a medication called Tecovirimat (TPOXX). Please discuss with your healthcare provider if you are diagnosed with monkeypox and feel that you are eligible for treatment with this medication.

Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility & Designated Vaccination Sites:

The JYNNEOS vaccine (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) is available to individuals who live or work in Massachusetts and meet the CDC’s current eligibility criteria, prioritizing those who are most at risk of exposure to an individual with monkeypox. This includes:

  • Known contacts identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments (this may include sexual partners, household contacts, and healthcare workers); as well as
  • Presumed contacts who meet the following criteria:
    • Know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with monkeypox
    • Had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in a jurisdiction with known monkeypox

How to obtain the Monkeypox vaccine?

Administration of JYNNEOS will be by appointment only at one of the designated health care locations listed below after completion of risk exposure assessment by your healthcare provider:

Boston-

  • Fenway Health: Appointments can be made by calling 617-927-6060 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM
  • Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Health Clinic: Appointments can be made by calling 617-726-2748 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4:30 PM
  • Boston Medical Center: Appointments can be made by calling 617-414-2803 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM
  • East Boston Neighborhood Health Center: Appointments can be made by calling 617-568-4500 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM. This site also offers vaccine appointments on Saturdays between 10 AM and 2 PM
  • Codman Square Community Health Center: Please register for an appointment directly at https://www.codman.org/medical-service/x-clinic/. Appointments can also be made by calling 617-825-9660 Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 8:30 PM. This site also offers vaccine appointments on Saturday between 9 AM and 3 PM

Cambridge/Somerville-

  • Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge/Somerville): Appointments can be made by calling 781-338-0104 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM

Cape Cod-

  • Outer Cape Cod Health Services: Appointments can be made by calling 508-905-2888 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM

MetroWest-

  • JRI Health, Framingham: Register for an appointment directly with JRI Health. Appointments can also be made by calling 508-935-2960 Mondays and Fridays between 8 AM and 4 PM and Tuesday through Thursdays between 8 AM and 6:30 PM
  • Baystate Medical Center Brightwood Health Center, Springfield: Appointments can be made by calling 413-794-4458 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM
  • Tapestry Health, Springfield: Appointments can be made by calling 413-586-2016, extension 121, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM
  • AIDS Project Worcester and University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worchester: Appointments can be made by calling 508-755-3773, extension 113, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM

North of Boston-

  • Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Lawrence: Appointments can be made by calling 978-557-2319 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM

South of Boston-

  • Health Innovations, Randolph: Appointments can be made by calling 339-987-1956 Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 5 PM
  • Seven Hills Behavioral Health, New Bedford: Appointments can be made by calling 774-634-3725 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM

For the most up to date information please visit:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.