Mpox vaccine is available to Albany County residents and insurance is accepted but not required. 

Drop by the Albany County Department of Health weekdays between 9:00AM and 3:00PM for an Mpox vaccine.

Walk-ins welcome, no appointment needed!

Despite its low fatality rate, public health officials are concerned because mpox is spreading and cases are presenting in ways not typically seen in past mpox outbreaks.

Older New Yorkers, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant people, and young children under 8 years of age may be at heightened risk for severe outcomes.

Mpox is spread through:

• Direct contact with mpox sores or rashes through intimate or skin-to-skin contact.
• Contact with objects or fabrics (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels) that have been used by someone with mpox.
• Respiratory droplets or oral fluids from someone with mpox; historically, these respiratory droplets can only travel a few feet, and are of primary concern among those who have very close or prolonged contact.

Mpox is a sexually transmitted infection.

For additional information on mpox transmission, please visit the CDC webpage "How it Spreads."

Examples of Mpox rashes
Photo credit: UK Health Security Agency

Symptoms of mpox include rashes, bumps, or blisters, along with fever and headaches, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. These rashes or bumps often occur in the genital or peri-anal area and may take place without fever or other flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms typically start 1-2 weeks after exposure to the virus.

Mpox can continue spreading from symptom onset until all sores or blisters have healed, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, roughly 2-4 weeks.

In the current mpox outbreak, you are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated if:

You might have already been exposed to mpox, if:

• You have been identified as a close contact of someone with mpox.
• You learn that one of your sex partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with mpox.
• You are a man who has had sex with other men, or if you are a transgender or nonbinary person, and in the past 2 weeks you have had:
  • Sex with multiple partners or group sex.
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse).
  • Sex at an event, venue, or in an area where mpox transmission is occurring.

You might be exposed to mpox in the future, if:

• You are a man who has sex with other men, or if you are a transgender or nonbinary person and in the past 6 months have had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted infections including acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis.
  • More than one sex partner.
• You are a person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex at an event, venue, or in an area where mpox transmission is occurring.
• You are a person whose sexual partner identifies with any of the above scenarios.
• You are a person who anticipates experiencing any of the above scenarios.

If you get vaccinated, make sure you get both shots, which are given 4 weeks apart. It takes 2 weeks after your second dose to be considered “fully vaccinated.”

During the 6-week period, the following recommendations apply to recipients of the vaccine:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact, including intimate contact, with others
• Don’t touch the rash or scabs of someone with mpox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing bedding, towels, clothing or your utensils or cups.

When considering whether to attend a gathering, there are steps you can take to lower their chances of getting mpox.

• People who are feeling sick – regardless of whether mpox, COVID-19, or another illness is suspected – should not attend social gatherings.
• If you are feeling well and want to attend a social gathering, consider how much close contact is likely to occur.
• Settings where individuals are fully clothed carry less risk than those where there is minimal clothing or where intimate sexual contact occurs.

If you or your partner(s) have a new or unexplained rash, sores, or other symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with mpox, call your healthcare provider.

Until you are evaluated by your healthcare provider, isolate at home, wear a mask, keep lesions or rashes covered up, avoid close contact, and do not share clothes, bedding, towels, or other objects/surfaces.

Even if you haven’t been exposed or vaccinated, everybody should know the public health precautions to take:

• Ask sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with mpox. 
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other mpox-related symptoms. 
• Contact a healthcare provider following exposure or symptoms.
• Follow reputable sources of health information including the New York State Department of Health, the CDC, and your local county health department. 

• New York State Department of Health - mpox
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - mpox