Important

If you recently received your first dose of vaccine and have a second dose appointment scheduled at either St Vincent’s Hospital WorldPride Hub in Darlinghurst after 10 March 2023 or The Prevention Hub in Surry Hills after 18 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 book in a ‘second dose only’ appointment. To book your second dose appointment, visit the NSW Health mpox vaccination page.

Monitoring for mpox symptoms

Sydney WorldPride has finished now, but it’s still important to monitor for mpox symptoms and be aware of what you need to do if you experience them or have been exposed to someone who has mpox.

Mpox symptoms may include:

  • rashes, pimple-like lesions or sores, particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttocks, and on the face, arms and legs
  • ulcers, lesions or sores in the mouth
  • fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and/or exhaustion prior to the rash or lesions developing.

Symptoms usually begin 7-14 days after exposure. This can be a few days or as long as 21 days.

If you have symptoms while in NSW:

  • self-isolate at home
  • avoid all contact with others
  • contact your doctor if you are a NSW resident, who will let you know what tests you need
  • call the Public Health Unit (1300 066 055) or the NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624) for advice if you are visiting NSW
  • go to a publicly-funded sexual health clinic for free, even if you are not from Australia.

Exposure to mpox

If you’ve been exposed to mpox, do not travel until you confirm that you do not have mpox. If you are exposed to mpox while in NSW:

  • self-isolate immediately and call your doctor if you live in NSW
  • call the NSW Sexual Health Infolink on 1800 451 624 or the Public Health Unit (1300 066 055) if you are visiting and tell them you have been exposed to someone who has mpox
  • read the case and contact fact sheets on Mpox (monkeypox).

Vaccination against mpox

The vaccine to protect against mpox available in Australia is called JYNNEOS. Two doses of the vaccine are required. In NSW, you can be vaccinated without Medicare and eligible international and interstate visitors during WorldPride can get vaccinated for free. All sexually active gay and bisexual men (cis and trans), their sexual partners and sex workers are able to receive the vaccine in NSW.

If you recently received your first dose of vaccine and have a second dose appointment scheduled at either St Vincent's Hospital WorldPride Hub in Darlinghurst after 10 March 2023 or The Prevention Hub in Surry Hills after 18 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 book in a 'second dose only' appointment. To book your second dose appointment, visit the NSW Health mpox vaccination page.

Preventing the spread of mpox

Vaccination is an important way to prevent mpox infection but there are other things you can do to help slow the spread. This includes:

  • staying home and getting tested immediately if you experience any mpox symptoms.
  • avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms and any bedding or towels that have been contact with an infected person
  • swapping contact information with sexual partners (this will assist with any follow-ups regarding sexual heath)
  • reducing your sexual partners
  • washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

For further tips on reducing the spread, visit ACON.

More information

For more information about mpox, what it is and the situation in NSW, visit the mpox information hub.

Current as at: Monday 13 March 2023
Contact page owner: Communicable Diseases