Monkeypox prevention

Mpox: What are the new vaccination recommendations?

Publié le 30 octobre 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Mpox virus (Monkeypox, formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease characterized by a rash, sometimes with fever or lymph nodes. Transmission occurs in particular through direct physical contact with the damaged skin or biological fluids (blood, semen, etc.) of an infected person. An order issued in Official Journal october 26, 2024 provides new recommendations for vaccination against this virus.

The Mpox virus is spread when a person comes into contact with an animal, human, or materials contaminated with this infectious disease. Human-to-human transmission occurs:

  • mainly by direct contact with an infected person (through body fluids, skin lesions of the disease or internal mucous membranes such as the mouth);
  • less commonly, indirectly by objects that the patient has contaminated (clothes, bed linen, etc.) or during prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person, due to droplets (postillons, sneezes) being sprayed.

A decree on vaccination against the Monkeypox virus was issued in Official Journal on 26 october 2024, taking into account in particular:

  • the World Health Organization (WHO) statements of 14 August 2024 on the resurgence of the virus in Central Africa;
  • an opinion of the High Authority for Health of 29 August 2024 on the vaccination strategy against the Mpox virus.

In particular, preventive vaccination against this infectious disease is recommended for:

  • men who have sex with men, and have multiple sex partners;
  • trans people with multiple sexual partners;
  • sex workers;
  • sex workers;
  • partners or people sharing the same dwelling as those at very high risk of exposure (the people mentioned in the previous points).

Post-exposure vaccination is also offered:

  • persons who have been in an at-risk contact situation with an infected person;
  • immunocompromised individuals who have had close contact with a person known as ‘contact at risk’.

Vaccination is free.

Please note

It is recommended that individuals within the target of preventive vaccination who have been vaccinated since 2022 receive a booster dose (this does not apply to childhood vaccinees who have received an additional dose of vaccine since 2022).

People who were infected with the Monkeypox virus between 2022 and today are immune to the virus and do not need a booster shot.

FYI  

If symptoms develop (fever and rash with blisters), contact your treating physician or a free information, testing and diagnostic center (CeGIDD).

It is recommended that you isolate yourself while awaiting medical advice, avoid contact with others and cover your injuries when traveling to the doctor or CeGIDD. The disease usually resolves spontaneously after 2 to 3 weeks, but sometimes 4 weeks.

Where do you go to get vaccinated against the Monkeypox virus?

You can find contact details for a vaccination center near you on this interactive map. The list of vaccination sites is also available on the websites of the various regional health agencies.

You can also find on our factsheet “Who has the right to make a vaccine?” the different healthcare professionals who may prescribe and give you the Monkeypox vaccine.

Please note

As of October 22, 2024, 190 cases of Mpox have been reported to Santé publique France since the beginning of the year; these are only adults (183 men and 7 women).

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