Washington DC Sex Patterns Disrupted During Mpox Outbreak

According to a study published in Sexually Transmitted Diseases, most study participants receiving mpox vaccination in Washington, DC, reported decreasing sexual behaviors associated with mpox virus transmission.

Overall, between 46%–61% of study participants reported a decrease in sexual behaviors associated with mpox.

In DC, over 41,000 mpox vaccinations have been administered since the global outbreak began in May 2022.

Published on October 26, 2023, the study was led by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers and involved 711 adults seeking mpox vaccination from August to October 2022.

The median participant age was 32 years; 52% were White, 20.5% were Black, 14.6% were Hispanic, 7.9% were Asian, 2.0% were multiracial, and 0.3% were American Indian/Alaska Native.

And 9% had HIV.

Most of the study participants were men who had sex with men (61%), 27% were women, and 3.8% were men who had sex with only women.

According to D.C. Health, there have been 543 cumulative mpox cases, 24 hospitalizations, and 0 related fatalities since May 2022.

Mpox is a sexually transmitted disease that is often prevented with a U.S. FDA-approved vaccine.

Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) mpox-smallpox vaccine was offered in the U.S. during this study.

A study published by The Lancet Infectious Disease on October 11, 2023, attempted to answer questions regarding the durability and strength of protection following infection and JYNNEOS vaccination.

This analysis reported that people vaccinated with JYNNEOS frequently developed low or medium mpox-neutralizing antibodies compared to infected individuals.

As of October 31, 2023, the JYNNEOS vaccine remains available in key cities in the U.S.