VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT

Many vaccine information statements are 

available in Spanish and other languages. 

See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están 

disponibles en español y en muchos otros 

idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 

Smallpox/Monkeypox Vaccine 

(JYNNEOSTM): What You Need to Know

1. Why get vaccinated?

Smallpox/monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOSTM) can 

help protect against smallpox, monkeypox, and 

other diseases caused by orthopoxviruses, including 

vaccinia virus.

Smallpox is a very serious disease caused by variola 

virus. Some people continue to be at risk of exposure 

to the virus that causes smallpox, including people 

who work in emergency preparedness and some 

laboratory workers. The virus can spread from person 

to person, causing symptoms including fever and a 

skin rash. Many people who had smallpox in the past 

recovered, but about 3 out of every 10 people with the 

disease died.

Monkeypox is a rare disease with symptoms that are 

similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. 

However, monkeypox can cause death. Monkeypox 

is an emerging infection in Africa and outbreaks of 

imported cases of monkeypox sometimes happen in 

other countries, including the United States.

Vaccinia virus can cause disease when people are 

exposed to infected people (such as exposure to 

someone who has recently been vaccinated with 

ACAM2000®, another type of smallpox vaccine) 

or animals. People who work with vaccinia virus 

in laboratories can be accidentally exposed to the 

virus, and if they become infected, they can get sick. 

However, most vaccinia virus infections resolve on 

their own without treatment. 

2. Smallpox/monkeypox vaccine 

(JYNNEOSTM)

Smallpox/monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOSTM) 

is made using weakened live vaccinia virus and 

cannot cause smallpox, monkeypox, or any other 

infectious disease.

JYNNEOSTM is approved by the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for prevention of smallpox 

and monkeypox disease in adults 18 years or older at 

high risk for smallpox or monkeypox infection.

 CDC recommends JYNNEOSTM for certain 

laboratory workers and emergency response team 

members who might be exposed to the viruses that 

cause orthopoxvirus infections.

 CDC recommends consideration of the vaccine for 

people who administer ACAM2000®, or who care 

for patients infected with orthopoxviruses.

JYNNEOSTM is usually administered as a series of 

2 injections, 4 weeks apart. People who have received 

smallpox vaccine in the past might only need 1 dose.

Booster doses are recommended every 2 or 10 years 

if a person remains at continued risk for exposure 

to smallpox, monkeypox, or other orthopoxviruses. 

Your health care provider can give you more 

information.

3. Talk with your health 

care provider

Tell your vaccination provider if the person getting 

the vaccine:

 Has had an allergic reaction after a previous 

dose of smallpox vaccine, or has any severe, lifethreatening allergies

 Has a weakened immune system

 Is pregnant or thinks they might be pregnant or 

is breastfeeding

In some cases, your health care provider may decide 

to postpone routine (pre-exposure) smallpox/

monkeypox vaccination with JYNNEOSTM until a 

future visit.
OFFICE 

USE 

ONLY

Vaccine Information Statement

Smallpox/Monkeypox Vaccine 11/14/2022

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be 

vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill 

should usually wait until they recover before getting 

a routine (pre-exposure) dose of JYNNEOSTM. If you 

have been recommended to receive JYNNEOSTM 

due to an exposure to monkeypox virus, you 

should be vaccinated regardless of concurrent 

illnesses, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weakened 

immune system.

JYNNEOSTM may typically be given without regard 

to timing of other vaccines. However, certain people 

at increased risk of a condition called myocarditis 

(swelling of the heart muscle), including adolescent 

or young adult males, might consider waiting 4 weeks 

after JYNNEOSTM vaccination before getting certain 

COVID-19 vaccines. If you have been recommended 

to receive JYNNEOSTM due to an exposure to 

monkeypox virus, you should be vaccinated even if 

you have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine.

4. Risks of a vaccine reaction

 Redness, soreness, swelling, and itching where the 

shot is given are the most common things that 

happen after vaccination with JYNNEOSTM.

 Fatigue (tiredness), headache, and muscle pain 

can also sometimes happen after vaccination with 

JYNNEOSTM.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, 

including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel 

dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance 

of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other 

serious injury, or death.

You can enroll in v-safe after receiving any dose of 

JYNNEOSTM vaccine by using your smartphone and 

going to vsafe.cdc.gov. V-safe is a safety monitoring 

system that lets you share with CDC how you, or your 

dependent, feel after getting a JYNNEOSTM vaccine. 

For more information visit www.cdc.gov/vsafe.

5. What if there is a

serious problem?

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated 

person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe 

allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and 

throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, 

or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the 

nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health 

care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine 

Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your 

health care provider will usually file this report, or 

you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at 

www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is 

only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members 

do not give medical advice.

6. Countermeasures Injury

Compensation Program

The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program 

is a federal program that may help pay for costs of 

medical care and other specific expenses of certain 

people who have been seriously injured by certain 

medicines or vaccines. If you have been injured by 

smallpox/monkeypox vaccine, you can learn more 

about this Program by visiting the program’s website 

at www.hrsa.gov/cicp, or calling 1-855-266-2427 

(855-266-CICP).

7. How can I learn more?

 Ask your health care provider.

 Call your local or state health department.

 Visit the website of the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) for vaccine package inserts 

and additional information at www.fda.gov/

vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines.

 Contact the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC):

- Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or

- Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/

poxvirus/mpox.