In a unanimous vote, a CDC advisory panel voted Feb. 22 in favor of recommending mpox vaccination only for at-risk adults.
"People with HIV infection or other causes of immunosuppression who have had recent or anticipate potential mpox exposure should be vaccinated against mpox," the updated guidelines read.
Specifically, the panel recommends "vaccination prior to exposure." However, the CDC says that vaccination can also be given after exposure and can still offer some protection if given within four to 14 days after exposure.
Still, "currently, CDC does not recommend routine immunization against mpox for the general public," the organization notes. For those at risk, the CDC recommends the Jynneos vaccine, made by Bavarian Nordic, a Danish company, that prevents both smallpox and mpox.
June is when the panel will meet next to discuss if the Jynneos vaccine should also be recommended to prevent mpox in at-risk children, CNBC reports.