CDPH Urges Mpox Vaccination in Contra Costa

California health officials are urging people at higher risk for mpox, including residents of Contra Costa County, to get vaccinated now as cases rise statewide. (cdph.ca.gov) The California Department of Public Health said April 18 that the push follows a Clade I mpox case in San Francisco and an increase in California infections. The agency said risk to the general public remains low. (cdph.ca.gov) Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact, including intimate contact, and most people recover in two to four weeks. Contra Costa Health says antiviral treatment may be used for patients at higher risk of severe illness. (cchealth.org) California’s vaccine page says the two-dose JYNNEOS shot is recommended for people who may be at risk, and that it helps protect against both Clade I and Clade II mpox. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also says two doses provide the best protection. (cdph.ca.gov) (cdc.gov) The state’s case dashboard says mpox has continued circulating in California since 2022, with local health departments reporting cases and test results to the state every other week. The same dashboard says clade type is not listed in that dataset. (cdph.ca.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said most U.S. mpox cases are still Clade II and continue to occur in people who were unvaccinated or had received only one JYNNEOS dose. CDC reported case data through April 1, 2026. (cdc.gov) CDC’s current situation summary says the United States recorded 11 Clade I cases from November 2024 through February 2026, then five additional cases since March 2026. The agency said those five newer cases were not linked to one another. (cdc.gov) California had already reported a shift in October 2025, when state officials said three unrelated Southern California residents had Clade I mpox without recent international travel. CDPH said that finding showed person-to-person community spread in California. (cdph.ca.gov) For Contra Costa residents, the county health department says vaccines are available through health centers, public health immunization clinics, travel vaccine clinics and mobile pop-up clinics. The county’s immunization clinic page says adults without insurance can use public health clinics, while patients with private insurance may need other providers. (cchealth.org 1) (cchealth.org 2) State and federal guidance now centers on the same point: people with higher exposure risk should complete both doses before exposure if possible, and get the second dose even if they are late. California is directing residents to local providers and county clinics as the state tries to raise coverage before more cases appear. (cdph.ca.gov) (cdc.gov)