Vaccination is the best way to protect against mpox and its complications. This vaccine may be indicated for certain people who are at risk of exposure or have been in high-risk contact with a confirmed or probable case of mpox in the days after exposure following a decision by the public health authorities.
Symptoms after vaccination
The vaccine can cause some symptoms (ex., redness at the injection site). Other problems may occur coincidentally and have nothing to do with the vaccine (ex., a cold, gastroenteritis, headache).
The vaccine against mpox is safe. Most people have no reaction to the vaccine.
Nature and frequency of the possible reactions to the vaccine
Frequency
Possible reactions to the vaccine
Often (less than 10% of people)
Pain, redness, swelling, induration, itching at the injection site
Nausea
Headache, fatigue
Muscle pains
Sometimes (less than 1% of people)
Heat, nodule, hematoma, discolouration at the injection site
Limb pain, joint pain
Fever, chills
Rarely (less than 1 in 1,000 people)
Swollen glands
Skin peeling
Nose or throat injection
Difficulty sleeping
Dizziness
Numbness
Very rarely (less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Pimples
Anesthesia, nerve damage
Hives, facial swelling
Night sweats, profuse sweating
Muscle spasm
Weakness
Migraine
What to do after vaccination
Advice to follow in the minutes following vaccination
Wait 15 minutes before leaving the place where you received the vaccine. If there is an allergic reaction, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the vaccination.
If you feel any symptoms, inform the person who administered your vaccine immediately. That person can treat your symptoms on site.
Advice for when you get home
If you have any redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, apply a cold, moist compress.
Use fever or pain medication as needed.
When to seek medical help
See a healthcare professional if you are in one of the following situations: