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This webpage describes smallpox vaccination as a bioweapon countermeasure for select military population in PRE-EVENT setting only. If looking for information for use of JYNNEOS for mpox or for lab workers occupationally exposed to orthopox viruses, please see our mpox webpage.
Previously, the U.S. military used ACAM2000 for pre-event smallpox prevention. In September 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first live, non-replicating vaccine (JYNNEOS) for prevention of smallpox and mpox disease in adults 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk for smallpox or mpox infection. Moving forward, JYNNEOS is the vaccine of choice for pre-event setting only to select, designated groups including certain members of the U.S. military.
Smallpox disease had a mortality rate of approximately 30 percent, and because of a successful vaccination program it was declared globally eradicated in 1980. Naturally occurring smallpox (variola virus) infection was highly contagious, and was transmitted from an infected person to a susceptible (unvaccinated) person by close contact with respiratory secretions and/or infected skin. When smallpox disease was circulating, the only known reservoir for the virus was humans.
Now that smallpox is globally eradicated, the only risk of disease is as a bioweapon.
You will find below all of the resources you will need about the Jynneos smallpox/mpox vaccine. More will be added as they are published or released.
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Last Updated: October 28, 2024