During Pride Month, mpox still poses a danger; however, vaccinations are now more accessible.
The US Department of Health and Human Services will attend various Pride and community events to emphasize that mpox is an ongoing issue in the United States, but it can be prevented with vaccination.
Mpox, a painful and potentially fatal disease previously known as monkeypox, can affect anyone, but certain members of the LGBTQ+ community are more vulnerable in the current outbreak. Recent cases in the US indicate that 90% of those diagnosed as mpox carriers and reported their sexual orientation were gay or bisexual men, and almost all of them were unvaccinated.
An epidemiologist at the Poxvirus and Rabies Branch of the CDC, Alex Tuttle, points out the significance of getting vaccinated for protection. According to her, around 25% of the suspected risk group in the United States are currently vaccinated, and the number needs to increase, especially with summer months approaching and potential risksheightening.
Mpox is a viral disease that can be easily transmitted between people and from animals to people. It spreads through close contact like touching, kissing, or sex, as well as through contaminated materials such as linens, clothing, and needles, based on the World Health Organization's guidelines. Symptoms may include fever, a painful rash, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Prior to 2022, mpox had mainly appeared in Central and West Africa, but cases also arose in Europe and North America due to the global outbreak. Although mpox case numbers in the US have remained stable and are significantly lower than those in the height of the 2022 outbreak, around 59 new cases were reported weekly as of the end of April, according to a report co-authored by Tuttle.
The CDC also published a report on Thursday detailing the types of people visiting their local emergency room with suspected mpox rashes between June and December 2022. Of the 196 suspected cases, three were confirmed as infected, all being gay or bisexual men who had engaged in sexual contact with various partners initially met through dating apps and had not received the vaccine.
Recent reports suggest that the vaccine is effective in keeping people safe. A study confirmed that two doses of the Jynneos vaccine by Bavarian Nordic are highly effective in preventing many mpox cases. It can also lessen the severity of symptoms if a vaccinated person becomes infected with the disease.
Although there have been isolated reports of infections in vaccinated individuals, such as a cluster in Chicago in May 2023, such cases are uncommon, affecting less than 1% of cases, according to the CDC.
Mpox isn't just an annoying inconvenience—approximately 10% of those affected in the most recent outbreak in the US were hospitalized, and five have died since October. Those with lower immune systems, particularly those with advanced HIV, experience more severe infections.
Another reason to get vaccinated is the threat of a more deadly version of the virus known as clade I, which carries a mortality rate of up to 10%, compared to 0.1% to 3.6% for the currently circulating clade II. This variant is also more transmissible and has caused an outbreak that the CDC is monitoring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tuttle assures that the Jynneos vaccine should be effective against both clade I and clade II.
Brian Hujdich, executive director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health, stresses the importance of encouraging mpox vaccination. His organization and others will join efforts to raise awareness at Pride events and during the summer, when the potential for more interaction increases and the risk of spreading mpox may potentially rise.
The CDC collaborates with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, local organizations, and community health partners to prevent outbreaks through campaigns and initiatives, such as the Summer of Pride, which aims to remind the public that while mpox case numbers have decreased significantly, the risk has not completely vanished.
"It's surprising for some people that mpox is still causing issues," remarks Adrianna Boulin, the director of racial equity, social justice, and community engagement at Fenway Health - an organization that promotes and delivers care for the LGBTQ+ community. "We made significant progress last year in terms of sharing information and education, but the mpox cases kept declining, leading to a sense of 'wow, this is still a concern.' It's crucial that everyone stays informed about it, as it can affect all of us."
Boulin, who also serves as the president of Boston Pride of the People, the organization behind the city's Pride parade and celebrations on June 8th, expressed that there'll be a dedicated health section during the event where numerous organizations will discuss their programs and services - including mpox.
Fenway Health previously ran vaccine clinics during the mpox outbreak, but the number of cases dropped considerably, so now they only offer it by appointment.
Distributing vaccines has become far less complex nationwide compared to the early stages of the outbreak when people had to wait in long lines at special clinics. Pharmacies and many regular healthcare providers now have them in stock.
Fenway Health plans to participate in several other LGBTQ events, Boulin added, and at each, there will be discussions about mpox.
"People are thrilled to be outdoors at these events and are open to listening to what you have to say, creating the perfect environment to spread information about their health," Boulin stated.
Early in the year, Key West Pride event, running from June 5th to 9th, announced a significant health organization presence, offering educational materials about mpox and the advantages of the mpox vaccine at their Street Fair/Dance Party.
"The local health department also offers resources on mpox and vaccinations," added Hujdich. "A critical message that's worth emphasizing is that the mpox vaccines not only protect you but also offer peace of mind. After getting vaccinated, you don't need to worry about being exposed to mpox during events like Pride."
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The US Department of Health and Human Services encourages everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, to get vaccinated against mpox to protect themselves. Despite the effectiveness of the Jynneos vaccine in preventing and lessening the severity of mpox, a significant number of individuals in the US are still unvaccinated.
