Where can I get Vaccinated for Monkeypox Without Insurance in New York or California?

Monkeypox vaccines are available at designated health centers and clinics in regions where there is monkeypox. For those eligible for the vaccine, you will need a referral from a healthcare provider and an appointment before getting vaccinated. You can find a monkeypox vaccination clinic near you by going to your county’s health website. 

Vaccine Locations for Monkeypox

If you think you may be eligible for the monkeypox vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or local health department who can help you determine if need the vaccine. You can get vaccinated for monkeypox at designated health centers and clinics with a referral from your healthcare provider. 

If you do not have a healthcare provider, go to your county’s health website and call the number designated for information about monkeypox or a clinic that provides the vaccine. In California, this number is 2-1-1 and in New York, it is 311. 

To find out if your county offers the monkeypox vaccine, go to their health website and page dedicated to monkeypox. In some counties, you have to sign up based on eligibility. In LA County can sign up here if you are eligible for their first dose.

Clinics that Carry the Monkeypox Vaccine in New York City, NY

Information is from the NYC Health Website

Clinics that Carry the Monkeypox Vaccine in New York by County

Information is from the NYC Health Website

Counties that do not have monkeypox vaccines may not have reported cases of monkeypox, may be fully booked at this time or may be working on rolling out the vaccine to eligible patients. 

Clinics that Carry the Monkeypox Vaccine in San Diego, CA

Information is from the County News Center

Public Health Centers that Carry the Monkeypox Vaccine in San Diego, CA for Uninsured Individuals

Information is from San Diego County’s Immunization Clinics Webpage

Eligibility Requirements for the Monkeypox Vaccine

There are currently not enough vaccines available to meet the high demand for monkeypox vaccinations, although the FDA recently authorized a plan to stretch the number of doses available. Anyone can get monkeypox but due to the limited supply, the CDC is recommending that populations most at risk get vaccinated first. This includes: 

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
• People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks have been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox

Emergency authorization of the monkeypox vaccine allows people under the age of 18 to receive the vaccine if they are at high risk of monkeypox infection. Depending on where you live, you may also be eligible for the vaccine if you had a confirmed monkeypox case within the past 2 weeks.

Status of Monkeypox in the US

As of August 10, 2022, there have been more than 10,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the US. The US Department of Health and Human Services declared monkeypox a public health emergency officially on August 4, 2022. This means that the federal government can now allocate more resources to fighting the spread of the disease.

Monkeypox Vaccines Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Monkeypox is continuing to spread across the world and within the United States. Below we answer a few questions you may have about the monkeypox vaccine.   

How is the monkeypox vaccine being administered?

Under the Biden Administration’s Monkeypox Outbreak Response plan, the distribution of the monkeypox vaccine, JYNNEOS, will be equitably allotted to states based on the number of cases and the proportion of the population at risk for severe disease from monkeypox.

The Emergency Use authorization by the FDA of JYNNEOS aims to increase vaccine supply. The FDA is doing this by allowing healthcare providers to use the vaccine by intradermal injection (just under the skin) as opposed to subcutaneous injections (goes under a layer of fat), increasing the number of doses available by up to five-fold. 

To increase the number of vaccines available, it is also now recommended that as many eligible people be vaccinated with at least one dose of the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine to slow the spread of the disease. One dose of JYNNEOS is said to be 80 percent effective at preventing the disease but there is no data available indicating that one dose will provide long lasting protection.

How is monkeypox being spread?

Despite the name, monkeypox is predominantly spread by humans to humans–not from monkeys. The WHO recently issued a reminder that the disease is transmitted by humans in response to increased attacks on monkeys. In fact, the source of the disease remains unknown and was first discovered in monkeys in 1958.  

Is the monkeypox vaccine free?

The monkeypox vaccine is being provided by the federal government for free however there may be a small administration fee depending on what state you live in and where you go to get your vaccine.   

Bottom Line

Monkeypox vaccines are being allocated to states equitably depending on the number of cases and proportion of the population at risk for severe disease of monkeypox. Due to a limited supply of vaccines, only those who are eligible and at high risk of exposure are able to get vaccinated. You can get vaccinated at a designated health center or clinic with a referral from your healthcare provider. More information on where to get the vaccine can be found on your county’s health website.