Vaccine Program:
MPV (Monkeypox Virus)

Stay healthy and protect your community!

the latest

Brooklyn Community Pride Center is no longer hosting a daily pop-up vaccination clinic at our Crown Heights space. We will have the mobile clinic at select special events. For more information or for assistance in finding a vaccination appointment, please contact monkeypox@lgbtbrooklyn.org

what the monkeypox virus (mpv) is...

MPV, commonly referred to as monkeypox, is a disease first recorded in humans in 1970. Infection is spread by direct contact and exposure to an infected person’s rash, scabs, or bodily fluids. MPV is in the same family as Smallpox and symptoms are similar to that of Smallpox, but milder and rarely fatal.

the current outbreak

The current outbreak is primarily spreading through communities of men who have sex with other men, although anyone can contract the virus and it does not require sexual behavior to spread.

The virus can be transmitted through:

Extended skin contact that comes from oral, anal and vaginal sex
Hugging, kissing, cuddling and massaging
Prolonged face-to-face contact (exposure to respiratory droplets)
Coming into contact with bedding, clothing or other personal items used by a person with the virus
Contact with bodily fluids including saliva, semen and feces.

symptoms/what to look for

Symptoms usually show up within 14-21 days of exposure and may last from 2-4 weeks.

The most common symptom is a rash or sores that can look like pimples or blisters. These may appear all over the body, or they may be limited to specific parts like hands, mouth, feet, genitals or anus. The rash or sores can be extremely itchy and painful, enough to interfere with daily activities.

Some people have flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and tiredness.

If you have symptoms, quarantine yourself from other people and contact a health provider for evaluation.

prevention/ vaccination

Multiple effective vaccines for MPV do exist. The JYNNEOS vaccine is the most widely used and has been FDA approved since 2019. NYC is offering free vaccinations to those who fit the following criteria:

People who are 18 or older, have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days, and identify as at least one of the following:
- Gay, bisexual, or other man (cisgender or transgender) who has sex with men (cisgender or transgender) or transgender women
- Transgender, gender non-conforming or gender non-binary
- Sex workers and anyone engaging in survival sex or any other types of transactional sex (including sex in exchange for money, food, shelter or other goods) of any sexual orientation or gender identity
People who have been informed by the Health Department that they are a close contact of someone with monkeypox

The JYNNEOS vaccine can be administered in two different ways - subcutaneously or intradermally. Most, though not all, folks in NYC are now receiving the vaccine intradermally. You can ask staff at your vaccination site which administration method will be used. Existing data has demonstrated that intradermal and subcutaneous administration result in comparable immune responses. Folks who receive the vaccine intradermally should expect to see a small ‘bleb’ or blister at the injection site that quickly resolves.

vaccination appointments

Still haven’t gotten your vaccine? Brooklyn Community Pride Center, in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals, has access to a limited number of MPV (monkeypox) vaccination appointments.

Please complete this form to request an appointment.

After completing the form, please wait for us to reach out to you. We will call or text you to schedule your appointment. We will ask about what date, time, and location work for you.

Please email monkeypox@lgbtbrooklyn.org with any questions. Vaccination is free to all and no insurance is required.

more prevention

In addition to getting vaccinated when you are eligible, steps can be taken to reduce your chances of getting the virus. These include:

Taking a break from sex and environments where prolonged skin-to-skin/face-to-face contact occurs (like crowded clubs and parties)
Talk to your close contacts about recent illnesses. Visually inspect your sexual partners for sores.
Minimize your risk by avoiding kissing and covering as much skin as possible during social and sexual activities.
Prevent Stigma! Anyone can get MVP, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual activity, economic circumstances, job, age, race, or sex. Do not blame or shame anyone, including yourself!
Wash your hands frequently!

resource links

Information about Monkeypox is changing rapidly as we learn more. We rely on the following sources for our information and urge you to verify the latest details:

New York City

www.nyc.gov/monkeypox

@nychealthy

Text MONKEYPOX to 692692 for alerts and information on vaccinations

New York State

www.health.ny.gov/monkeypox

@HealthNYGov

Centers for Disease Control

www.cdc.gov/monkeypox

Callen-Lorde

www.callen-lorde.org/mokeypox-update/

@Callenlorde