
The smallpox vaccine, JYNNEOS™, is believed to offer protection against monkeypox, officially known as mpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the term mpox to minimize the negative impact of the disease's former name. Studies have shown that the smallpox vaccine reduces the risk of monkeypox infection and provides long-lasting immunity. People who received the smallpox vaccine during nationwide programs in the 1940s to 1970s are thought to have continuing immunity. However, the protection may not be lifelong, and booster doses may be recommended for certain high-risk individuals. The JYNNEOS™ vaccine is typically administered in two doses, and it is approved for preventing monkeypox in adults at high risk of infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness of smallpox vaccination against monkeypox | Studies show that smallpox vaccination is effective in preventing monkeypox infection and reducing the risk of severe infection. The risk of monkeypox infection is lower in the vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group. |
| Longevity of protection | Protection from smallpox vaccination may not be lifelong. The duration of protection depends on various factors, and booster doses may be recommended for certain high-risk individuals. |
| Immunity | Smallpox vaccination provides higher immunity against monkeypox compared to the unvaccinated population. Previous studies suggest that smallpox vaccination offered approximately 80%%-85% protection against monkeypox. |
| Safety | Smallpox/monkeypox vaccines, such as JYNNEOS™, are generally safe and have been approved by regulatory authorities like the FDA. Common side effects include redness, soreness, swelling, itching, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. |
| Cross-immunogenicity | Smallpox vaccination provides cross-protection against other orthopoxviruses, including vaccinia virus and monkeypox. |
| Recommendations | Smallpox/monkeypox vaccines are recommended for individuals at high risk of exposure, including laboratory workers and emergency response teams. Booster doses are advised for certain high-risk groups, such as healthcare providers and laboratory workers with potential exposure to high levels of the monkeypox virus. |
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What You'll Learn
- Smallpox vaccination decreases the risk of monkeypox by 5.2-fold
- The smallpox vaccine is believed to provide long-lasting immunity against monkeypox
- Vaccinated people have higher immunity and fewer adverse events after vaccination
- The JYNNEOS™ smallpox/monkeypox vaccine is approved for prevention in adults
- Monkeypox vaccines are given as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to those exposed or at risk of exposure

Smallpox vaccination decreases the risk of monkeypox by 5.2-fold
The smallpox vaccination has been found to decrease the risk of contracting monkeypox by 5.2 times. This was discovered through two cross-sectional studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which found that unvaccinated participants had a significantly higher risk of contracting the disease compared to those who had been vaccinated. Further studies in the USA and Spain also demonstrated that those who had not received the smallpox vaccine were more likely to develop monkeypox.
The smallpox vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing monkeypox infection, with a risk ratio of 0.46 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.31-0.68. This means that the smallpox vaccine reduces the risk of infection by 54%, or between 31% and 68%, depending on the specific situation. The protection offered by the vaccine is long-lasting, with one source stating that it provides 85% protection.
The smallpox/monkeypox vaccine, JYNNEOS™, is approved by the FDA for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults who are at a high risk of infection. This includes certain laboratory workers and emergency response team members. The vaccine is typically administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart, and can be given without regard to the timing of other vaccines. However, certain individuals may need to wait four weeks after receiving JYNNEOS™ before getting certain COVID-19 vaccines.
It is important to note that while the smallpox vaccine can provide protection against monkeypox, it may not be lifelong. During the 2003 monkeypox outbreak and the ongoing clade II outbreak, several people who contracted monkeypox had been vaccinated against smallpox decades prior. As such, it is recommended that those who were previously vaccinated against smallpox receive vaccines and other medical measures to protect against monkeypox.
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The smallpox vaccine is believed to provide long-lasting immunity against monkeypox
The smallpox vaccine is believed to offer long-lasting protection against monkeypox. Monkeypox is a rare disease with symptoms that are similar but milder than smallpox. However, it can be fatal. Monkeypox spreads through direct physical contact with an infected individual or their bodily fluids, including sores inside the body, such as the mouth, vagina, or anus, enabling sexual transmission. The smallpox vaccine, JYNNEOS™, is approved by the FDA for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults at high risk of infection. It is typically administered in two doses, four weeks apart, and may be given as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for those with known or suspected exposure to the monkeypox virus.
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine in preventing monkeypox. Research indicates that the smallpox vaccine decreases the risk of contracting monkeypox by 5.2-fold. Additionally, a meta-analysis of 37 studies found that infection rates were significantly lower in the smallpox-vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group. Another study suggested that smallpox vaccination is 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox, and the immunity provided is long-lasting. Furthermore, individuals who received the smallpox vaccine during the nationwide program from the late 1940s to 1972 are believed to have continuing immunity.
The smallpox vaccine's protective effects are evident in various populations. Studies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) showed that unvaccinated participants had a significantly higher risk of contracting monkeypox compared to those who were vaccinated. Similarly, studies in the USA and Spain demonstrated that unvaccinated individuals were more prone to develop monkeypox. The cessation of smallpox vaccination campaigns has been linked to an increase in monkeypox cases, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing outbreaks.
While the smallpox vaccine provides substantial protection, it may not be lifelong. Booster doses are typically recommended every two or ten years for individuals who remain at risk of exposure to smallpox or monkeypox. However, the CDC has stated that booster doses are not recommended for the general population vaccinated during the 2022 clade II monkeypox outbreak, as protection after the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series does not wane for at least five years. Nonetheless, certain laboratory workers at high risk of orthopoxvirus infection may still require boosters.
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Vaccinated people have higher immunity and fewer adverse events after vaccination
The smallpox vaccine has been found to provide some protection against monkeypox, with studies showing that the smallpox vaccination decreases the risk of contracting human monkeypox by 5.2-folds. Research has also shown that the smallpox vaccine is 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox, and the immunity provided is long-lasting.
People who were vaccinated against smallpox during the nationwide program from the late 1940s to 1972 are believed to have continuing immunity. This is supported by studies that found lower infection rates in the smallpox-vaccinated group compared to the unvaccinated group. Additionally, the smallpox vaccine effectively reduced the risk of severe monkeypox infection.
The JYNNEOS™ smallpox-monkeypox vaccine is approved by the FDA for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults at high risk of infection, including laboratory workers and emergency response team members. It is usually administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart. Those who have received the smallpox vaccine in the past may only need one dose.
While the smallpox vaccine provides protection, it may not be lifelong. During the 2003 monkeypox outbreak and the ongoing clade II outbreak, several infected individuals had been vaccinated against smallpox decades earlier. Therefore, it is recommended that eligible individuals who were previously vaccinated against smallpox receive vaccines and other medical measures during outbreaks.
In conclusion, vaccinated individuals have higher immunity and fewer adverse events after vaccination. The smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide significant protection against monkeypox, reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. However, it is important to stay updated with the latest medical advice and guidance regarding vaccinations and boosters.
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The JYNNEOS™ smallpox/monkeypox vaccine is approved for prevention in adults
The smallpox vaccine has been found to be effective in preventing monkeypox. Studies have shown that the smallpox vaccination decreases the risk of contracting monkeypox by 5.2 times. The smallpox vaccine has also been found to be 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox, and the immunity it provides is long-lasting.
The JYNNEOS™ smallpox/monkeypox vaccine is approved for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults 18 years of age and older who are at high risk of contracting smallpox or monkeypox. The vaccine is made using a weakened live vaccinia virus and cannot cause smallpox, monkeypox, or any other infectious disease. The CDC recommends the JYNNEOS™ vaccine for certain laboratory workers and emergency response team members who might be exposed to the viruses that cause orthopoxvirus infections. The vaccine is usually administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart.
The JYNNEOS™ vaccine has been found to be safe and effective, with only minor side effects such as redness, soreness, swelling, and itching at the injection site. However, it is important to note that, in rare cases, the vaccine can cause a severe allergic reaction, and people with weakened immune systems may have a diminished immune response to the vaccine.
The JYNNEOS™ vaccine is an important tool in preventing the spread of monkeypox and protecting those at high risk of infection. While it is not a cure for monkeypox, it can help to reduce the risk of severe disease and save lives.
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Monkeypox vaccines are given as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to those exposed or at risk of exposure
The CDC recommends the JYNNEOS™ vaccine for specific laboratory workers and emergency response team members who may be exposed to orthopoxviruses. Booster doses are recommended every two or ten years for individuals who remain at continued risk of exposure to these viruses. People who have previously received the smallpox vaccine may only require one dose of JYNNEOS™. As a post-exposure prophylaxis, the vaccine should be administered as soon as possible, ideally within four days of exposure. Administration between four and fourteen days after exposure may still offer some protection, and clinicians should consider the benefits of vaccination on a case-by-case basis after this period.
Studies have shown that prior smallpox vaccination can decrease the risk of monkeypox infection and reduce the severity of the disease. The smallpox vaccine was found to be 80.7% efficacious in preventing monkeypox, and the immunity it provides is long-lasting. Research has also indicated that unvaccinated individuals have a significantly higher risk of contracting monkeypox compared to those who have been vaccinated. The discontinuation of smallpox immunization has been linked to the increase in monkeypox cases and the shift in the median age of those affected from young children to young adults.
While the smallpox vaccine offers protection against monkeypox, it is important to note that the level of protection may vary, and it may not be lifelong. Some individuals who contracted monkeypox during the ongoing clade II outbreak had previously been vaccinated against smallpox decades ago. Therefore, it is recommended that eligible individuals who were previously vaccinated against smallpox receive vaccines and other medical measures in response to the ongoing outbreak.
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Frequently asked questions
It is believed that a childhood smallpox vaccination provides some protection against monkeypox, but it may not be lifelong.
The smallpox/monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS™) is made using a weakened live vaccinia virus and is approved by the FDA for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults 18 years or older who are at high risk of infection.
JYNNEOS™ is typically administered as a series of two injections, four weeks apart. People who have previously received a smallpox vaccine may only need one dose.
The CDC recommends the JYNNEOS™ vaccine for certain laboratory workers and emergency response team members who might be exposed to orthopoxviruses. It can also be given to people with known or presumed exposure to the monkeypox virus, ideally within four days of exposure.





























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