Start with a free telehealth vax assessment with a Specialist GP. The GP goes through the mpox vaccine with you, checks current stock, and books your in-clinic vaccination time — the assessment is free.
In-clinic vaccination appointment $199 (less $87 Medicare rebate) at our East Melbourne clinic. Vaccine free under the National Mpox Vaccination Program for eligible patients (GBM/MSM, sex workers, sexual partners, healthcare workers handling Mpox).
Book a free telehealth vax assessment
The Specialist GP reviews the vaccine & checks stock
Come to our East Melbourne clinic to be vaccinated
The free telehealth assessment lets the Specialist GP confirm the vaccine is right for you, check current stock, and lock in your clinic appointment — all at no cost.
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection that spreads mainly through close skin-to-skin contact, including during sex, as well as via contaminated items and respiratory droplets. It typically causes a rash or skin lesions — often in the genital or anal area — along with fever, swollen glands, headache and muscle aches. Most cases are mild and resolve, but mpox can be painful and, in some people, more serious. For a fuller guide — the rash and its stages, how it spreads, the clades and treatment — see our mpox information page.
There is an ongoing global mpox outbreak, and cases continue to be reported in Melbourne and around Victoria, including locally acquired ones. Vaccination is one of the most effective steps eligible people can take to protect themselves and their partners, which is why free mpox vaccination is available.
The mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS)
The mpox vaccine in Melbourne — the same monkeypox vaccine used across Victoria — is JYNNEOS. It’s a modern, well-tolerated vaccine given as two doses, and it substantially reduces your risk of catching mpox and of severe illness if you do. It’s the same vaccine used in mpox programs internationally, with a strong safety record. For most people it’s a simple, quick vaccination with only minor, short-lived side effects.
Who Is Eligible for Free Mpox Vaccination?
In Victoria, free mpox vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of exposure. Eligibility is set by the Victorian Department of Health and currently includes:
Sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (cis and trans)
Sexually active transgender and gender-diverse people at risk of mpox exposure
Sex workers, particularly those whose clients may be at risk of mpox exposure
Sexual partners — including intimate or anonymous contacts — of people in the above groups
Healthcare and humanitarian workers at risk of occupational exposure
People planning travel who may undertake sexual activity in areas with mpox transmission
Anyone who identifies themselves as being at risk of mpox should not be turned away from vaccination. Eligibility criteria are reviewed and can change as the situation evolves, so if you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s worth asking — you may well be eligible. The vaccine is free for eligible people, and it’s accessible to everyone eligible, including visitors and international students, because eligibility is based on risk rather than residency.
Doses, Timing and After Exposure
Full mpox vaccination is two doses, given at least 28 days (four weeks) apart. Both doses are needed for the best, longest-lasting protection — a single dose provides only partial cover. If you had your first dose some time ago and never returned for the second, it’s not too late: you can still get your second dose now to complete the course. There’s no need to restart the schedule.
How well it works, and when
The mpox vaccine significantly lowers your risk of catching mpox and of becoming seriously unwell if you do. It takes around 14 days after a dose to build protection, so the best time to be vaccinated is before any potential exposure, not after. No vaccine is 100% effective, and infection can still occasionally occur in vaccinated people — usually milder — so vaccination works best alongside other sensible precautions during an outbreak.
Vaccination after exposure
If you’ve had a known or possible exposure to mpox, vaccination can still help as post-exposure prevention. For this to be effective, timing matters: it’s ideally given within four days of exposure, though it may still be offered up to 14 days afterwards based on a risk assessment. If you think you’ve been exposed, seek advice promptly rather than waiting — the sooner, the better.
Mpox Symptoms and Vaccine Safety
Don’t get vaccinated if you currently have mpox symptoms — get tested instead. Watch for a rash or skin lesions (often in the genital or anal area), fever, swollen glands, headache, muscle aches, or rectal pain or pain when passing urine. If you have any of these, seek testing early through a Specialist GP or sexual health service, and avoid close physical contact with others until you’ve been advised. Testing and early care matter both for you and to prevent passing mpox on.
Safety and side effects
The mpox vaccine has a strong safety record and is well tolerated by most people. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived — soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given, and sometimes tiredness, headache or muscle aches for a day or two. Serious side effects are rare. The vaccine can be given to people living with HIV and to many people with other conditions; if you have concerns about your situation, a Specialist GP will talk them through with you before you’re vaccinated.
How to Get the Mpox Vaccine with Clinic365
With Clinic365, getting the mpox vaccine starts with a free telehealth vax assessment. Over a quick phone call, a Specialist GP confirms your eligibility, talks you through the vaccine and the two-dose schedule, answers any questions, and checks current vaccine stock — then books a convenient time for you to come into the Melbourne clinic to be vaccinated. The assessment is free, so you can make sure you’re eligible and everything’s ready before you come in.
You’ll be reminded to return for your second dose at least four weeks after the first, and your vaccination is recorded so your immunisation record stays up to date. To get started, book your free telehealth vax assessment in a few minutes. Care is confidential and judgement-free.
Frequently asked questions
The mpox vaccine used in Melbourne and Victoria is JYNNEOS, a modern, well-tolerated vaccine given as two doses. It substantially reduces your risk of catching mpox and of severe illness if you do. It’s the same vaccine used in mpox programs internationally and has a strong safety record. For most people it’s a quick, simple vaccination with only minor side effects.
Free mpox vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk, including sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (cis and trans), sexually active trans and gender-diverse people at risk, sex workers, sexual partners of these groups, some workers at occupational risk, and some travellers. Anyone who identifies as at risk shouldn’t be turned away, so ask if you’re unsure.
Yes, the mpox vaccine is free for eligible people in Victoria. With Clinic365, the telehealth vax assessment is free too — a Specialist GP confirms your eligibility, checks current stock, and books a time for you to come into the Melbourne clinic to be vaccinated. It’s worth confirming vaccine availability when you book, which the assessment takes care of.
Yes. The mpox vaccine is free for eligible people and accessible to everyone eligible, including visitors and international students — eligibility is based on risk, not residency. This makes it available to people who might otherwise think they can’t access it. A Specialist GP can confirm your eligibility in a free telehealth vax assessment.
Two doses, given at least 28 days (four weeks) apart. Both are needed for the best and longest-lasting protection, as a single dose gives only partial cover. If you had your first dose a while ago and missed the second, you don’t need to restart — just get your second dose now to complete the course.
It takes around 14 days after a dose to build protection, so the best time to be vaccinated is before any potential exposure rather than after. No vaccine is 100% effective, and infection can still occasionally occur in vaccinated people — usually milder. Vaccination works best alongside other sensible precautions during an outbreak.
Yes. If you’ve had a known or possible exposure, vaccination can help as post-exposure prevention. Timing matters: it’s ideally given within four days of exposure, though it may be offered up to 14 days afterwards based on a risk assessment. If you think you’ve been exposed, seek advice promptly rather than waiting — the sooner the better.
It starts with a free telehealth vax assessment. Over a quick phone call, a Specialist GP confirms your eligibility, talks you through the two-dose schedule, checks current stock, and books a convenient time for you to come into the Melbourne clinic to be vaccinated. The assessment is free, so everything’s confirmed before you come in.
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived — soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, and sometimes tiredness, headache or muscle aches for a day or two. Serious side effects are rare. The vaccine has a strong safety record. If you have specific health concerns, a clinician will discuss them with you before vaccinating.
Mpox often causes a rash or skin lesions, frequently in the genital or anal area, along with fever, swollen glands, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes rectal pain or pain passing urine. If you have these symptoms, don’t get vaccinated — seek testing early through a Specialist GP or sexual health service and avoid close contact with others until advised.
If you currently have mpox symptoms, you should be tested and cared for rather than vaccinated. If you’ve recovered from mpox, a clinician can advise whether vaccination is still recommended for you based on your situation. Either way, don’t attend for vaccination while you have active symptoms — get tested first.
The mpox vaccine JYNNEOS can be given to people living with HIV, and it’s often particularly recommended for people at higher risk. It’s well tolerated and has a strong safety record. If you have HIV or another health condition and have questions about the vaccine for your situation, a clinician will talk them through with you before you’re vaccinated.
If you’re planning travel and may undertake sexual activity in an area with mpox transmission, vaccination beforehand may be recommended and you could be eligible. Since it takes around 14 days after a dose to build protection — and full protection needs two doses four weeks apart — it’s best to arrange vaccination well ahead of travel. Ask a clinician about timing.
