The JYNNEOS vaccine to protect against mpox (monkeypox) is free in NSW for eligible groups of people. You can be vaccinated without a Medicare card.
People who are recommended to be vaccinated against mpox can make an appointment by calling one of the clinics listed below.
For free help in your language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.
The following people are recommended to be vaccinated against mpox:
If this criteria applies to you, you can book your vaccine by calling one of the clinics listed below or walk in.
Anyone who has already received their first dose is recommended to receive their second dose if it is at least 28 days since their first dose.
If you recently received your first dose of vaccine and have a second dose appointment scheduled at either The Prevention Hub in Surry Hills after 18 March 2023 or St Vincent’s Hospital WorldPride Hub in Darlinghurst after 10 March 2023 – you will be contacted by clinic staff to reschedule your appointment.
In the unlikely event that you were uncontactable by clinic staff, you will need to call one of the clinics listed below to book your seond dose.
Search for your nearest vaccination clinic in the list below.
To book an appointment, call the vaccination clinic or you can also walk in. You can call Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 for further vaccine booking support.
Mpox is caused by a virus that is spread mainly through skin-to-skin contact, or close contact with someone who has mpox. In NSW, it is primarily affecting gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. For more information, visit our mpox information hub.
NSW Health began vaccinating people at highest risk from mpox on 8 August 2022.
The JYNNEOS vaccine to protect against mpox is free in NSW and you can be vaccinated without Medicare.
NSW Health is working closely with partner agencies such as NSW Sexual Health Infolink and ACON on the vaccine rollout.
People who are recommended to receive the vaccine can book an appointment by calling one of the clinics listed on this page.
You can also call Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 for further vaccine booking support.
Anyone due their second dose who received their first dose at a temporary vaccination clinic established for Sydney WorldPride – The Prevention Hub in Surry Hills or St Vincent’s Hospital WorldPride Hub in Darlinghurst – will need to call one of the clinics listed on this page to book their second dose, if they haven't been contacted already. People can also choose to walk in.
The main vaccine against mpox available in Australia is called JYNNEOS.
It is safe to use for people aged over 18 years, including people who are immunocompromised and people who have HIV. It can be given at the same time as most other vaccines.
JYNNEOS is a new vaccine so we’re still learning about it, however information from clinical trials shows the vaccine should be effective in preventing mpox.
Two doses of the vaccine are required for maximum protection, given at least 28 days apart.
The vaccine is most effective two weeks after the second dose and gives an 80% protection against mpox.
People who have an anaphylactic allergy to any of the following should not receive a JYNNEOS vaccine:
The JYNNEOS vaccine does not transmit mpox or any other virus to other people.
For more information visit Australian Department of Health - Monkeypox (MPX) – Information on JYNNEOS vaccine.
The JYNNEOS vaccine will only be given subcutaneously (under the skin) by trained staff rather than intradermally (into the outer layers of the skin).
Anyone who received their first dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine intradermally can safely receive their second dose subcutaneously.
The decision to switch to subcutaneous vaccination was made in January 2023 because:
As with all vaccines, minor side effects can be expected with the JYNNEOS vaccine. Most are mild and short-lived.
Common side effects include:
People with eczema may experience more symptoms after vaccination compared to those without this condition.
Read our post-vaccination fact sheet for more information on what to expect after getting your JYNNEOS vaccine.
Seven days after you receive your vaccine, you will receive an email or SMS by AusVaxSafety. You will be contacted three times in total and asked to complete an anonymous survey to report any symptoms. The survey is voluntary and will contribute to the national mpox vaccine safety surveillance. If you don’t want to participate, please ignore the SMS or emails or unsubscribe.
At this stage, vaccination is not required if you have been diagnosed with mpox.
Previous research in cases who have been infected with similar viruses suggests long-term immunity after infection. However, we do not yet have a clear understanding of this with the mpox virus, including to what extent you will be protected and if so, for how long.
Therefore, it is important to take necessary precautions to protect yourself to avoid being reinfected again. Read our Information for people who have mpox for further guidance.
High-risk contacts will be offered the JYNNEOS vaccine as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), ideally within 4 days but up to 14 days post exposure to mpox.
Medium-risk contacts may be offered this too, but the local public health unit will advise further.
Read our Information for high-risk contacts and Information for medium-risk contacts for further advice.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is safe and preferred for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For answers to other frequently asked questions, visit ACON - Frequently asked questions about mpox.
Vaccination is only one way to prevent mpox infection.
As there is still a risk of infection following vaccination, it’s still important to take steps to reduce the chance of catching or spreading mpox.
For advice on how to stay safe and prevent mpox infection, visit the mpox information hub or our partner ACON.
Translated mpox fact sheets and resources are available in multiple languages:
