In Maine, the mpox vaccine, Jynneos, is available to individuals of all ages who meet at least one of the below criteria:

1. Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.
2. Transgender, gender non-conforming, or non-binary individuals who have sex with men.
3. Any individual who has or who anticipates having:
• multiple sexual partners, or
• anonymous sexual partners, or
• sexual partners from an app.
4. Any individual who is or anticipates being a sexual partner of a person in categories 1, 2, or 3.
5. Individuals exposed to someone with mpox in the past 14 days who were notified of the exposure by a:
• public health agency, or
• person with mpox.

If you think you meet these criteria, contact one of the sites in the table below.

To be fully vaccinated for mpox, you need to receive two vaccine doses about four weeks apart. You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after your second vaccine. You will receive instructions on how to schedule your second vaccine appointment when you get your first shot.

Ways to Make Yourself More Comfortable If You Have Mpox Symptoms:

• Drink plenty of water and other clear fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Keep sores clean and dry when you are not showering or bathing.
• Your healthcare provider may talk to you about using these steps based on your symptoms:
• Itching
• Use over-the-counter oral antihistamines (like diphenhydramine/Benedryl, cetirizine, or hydroxyzine).
• Use topical ointments like calamine lotion or petroleum jelly (Vaseline, etc.)
• Mouth pain or sores
• Use prescription mouthwash. This helps mouth pain and keeps sores clean.
• Use topical over-the-counter oral gels to reduce pain (like Orajel). Talk to your healthcare provider about how much to use.
• Sores in the genital or anal regions
• Use warm sitz baths.
• Use topical pain-relief gels or creams (like RectiCare) to provide temporary relief.
• Proctitis (swelling of the lining of the rectum internal to the anus)
• Use stool softeners like docusate and warm sitz baths.
• Use over-the-counter pain medications like acetopminophen.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe other pain medications. Discuss side effects with them before taking any other medications.
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Talk to your healthcare provider about prescription medications to control nausea.
• Diarrhea
• Drink plenty of water and fluids with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
• Over-the-counter medications are not recommended.
• Bacterial infections
• Talk to your healthcare provider about if and when you may need antibiotics.

Many people with mpox only have mild symptoms. Most people with mpox recover fully within 2 to 4 weeks. Most do not need medical treatment.

Mpox treatment includes supportive care to manage symptoms like pain and rashes. There is also a medication that specifically targets the monkeypox virus (antiviral).

This medication was originally developed to protect against smallpox. It can also be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.

Antivirals, like tecovirimat (TPOXX), are recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill. This includes:

• People who are hospitalized for severe mpox symptoms
• People who have a weakened immune system
• People with certain skin conditions
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People with certain complications

If you have symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They may want to test you, even if you do not remember having contact with someone with mpox.

If you have mpox, ask your healthcare provider if mpox treatment is right for you.

These locations have TPOXX available for treating patients seen at their location. Please contact the facility beforehand to find out how to access care at that location.

More information for healthcare providers is available on the Clinician Information Page.