Vaccinate Now to Help Prevent the Next Mpox Surge
Vaccination in the US
Mpox vaccination is recommended by the CDC and global health agencies for higher risk groups. Complete vaccination with a 2-dose series helps protect you.
Speak to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about mpox vaccination.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
Anyone can be infected but most mpox cases have been among groups who are most at-risk including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people.
Persons at risk include gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people who in the past six months have had one of the following:
A new diagnosis of ≥1 sexually transmitted diseases
More than one sexual partner
Sex at a commercial sex venue, or in association with a large public event in a geographic area where mpox transmission is occurring
Sexual partners of persons with the risks described in above
Persons who anticipate experiencing any of the above
of male cases with known sexual orientation self-identified as men who have sex with men.
of cases with known HIV status were
HIV-positive.
Mpox transmission among GBMSM, transgender, and non-binary people is persistent in part due to fear and stigma.
Misunderstanding and misinformation leads to stigma but mpox doesn’t discriminate, anyone can be infected. Stigmatizing mpox as a “gay disease” shifts blame onto an already marginalized community.
Because there is a gap in tailored health education and resources to promote inclusivity, especially for racial and ethnic minority groups, this may make some hesitant to seek vaccination. Additionally, a lack of knowledge and sensitivity among some healthcare providers can lead to barriers in testing, treatment, and contact tracing for mpox.
Risk of mpox to the high risk group is underestimated.
Infected people are less likely to disclose symptoms or seek care.
Some may hide their condition for fear of being diagnosed.
Delayed access to care increases risk of spreading mpox, indirectly contributing to outbreaks.
“The stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak.”
— WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Why You Should Get Vaccinated
There are ~2 million at-risk individuals eligible for mpox vaccination in the US. When you get vaccinated against mpox you are taking action to help protect yourself from the disease. Your vaccination may help the community.
Most At-Risk People Are Still Not Fully Vaccinated Against Mpox
Mpox Vaccination Status of At-Risk Individuals in the US
- Unvaccinated (0 Doses received) 60.5%
- Partially vaccinated (1 dose received) 14.8%
- Fully vaccinated (2 doses received) 24.7%