Oregon Health Authority encourages mpox vaccines ahead of Pride Month
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon health officials are urging residents to get the mpox vaccine as people gather to celebrate Pride Month in June.
While the number of mpox infections in Oregon has significantly dropped since an outbreak in June 2022, the virus still circulates at low levels with some increases in case counts, OHA Health Officer and state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said.
“Mpox activity has generally remained low, but by no means has this virus gone away in Oregon or other parts of the country,” Sidelinger said. “Pride is a great time for people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community to show support for themselves, their partners and their community by getting both doses of the mpox vaccine.”
When the outbreak peaked in August 2022, Oregon saw between 10-15 mpox cases reported each week, according to OHA.
Since then, health officials said weekly case counts range from no case counts to two or three.
In 2022, there were 270 mpox cases, 30 in 2023, and eight in 2024 as of April 30, OHA reported, noting there have been no deaths.
The health authority said the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is highly effective, citing the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showing the vaccine was 75% effective for people who received one dose, and 86% effective for people who received two doses.
Until April, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services distributed the vaccine to providers for free.
On April 1, JYNNEOS manufacturer Bavarian Nordic launched the vaccine on the commercial market so providers can bill health insurance to cover the cost, officials said.
The vaccine is free to Oregon Health Plan members and state law requires the vaccine’s cost to be covered with commercial insurance, OHA said.
Mpox spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact and most often occurs through intimate or sexual contact or contact with lesions of an individual with mpox, according to OHA.
Health officials said mpox infection rates are highest among Multnomah County residents, people ages 30-39 and members of the Latinx and Black/African American communities.
Most of the cases were men who reported having sex with men and most identified as gay or bisexual, according to OHA.
Officials said if anyone thinks they have mpox, they should contact their healthcare provider and let them know before going in to be seen.
People without a healthcare provider can call 211 or their local public health authority for help finding a clinic or health care provider.