LDH and NOHD to offer mpox vaccines at New Orleans Pride events

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), in partnership with the New Orleans Department of Health (NOHD), will offer mpox vaccines at two upcoming Pride events.

Vaccination sites will be located at the following locations:

• Black Pride Community Festival: Friday, June 9, 1-5 p.m. at Lemann Park, 628 N. Claiborne Ave. (along the Lafitte Greenway)
• Pride Day: Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 941 Elysian Fields Ave.

LDH continues to identify new cases of mpox among Louisiana residents, albeit at levels well below those reported during the summer of 2022. With upcoming summer events and festivals on the horizon, the Louisiana could be at risk for a resurgence or new outbreaks of mpox. LDH and NOHD encourage those most at risk to stay up to date on their mpox vaccines to protect themselves and others.

People most at risk for mpox include the following groups:

• You are a gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, non-binary or gender-diverse person who, in the past 6 months, has had one of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (for example, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had one of the following in the past 6 months:
  • Sex in a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Gender related to a major business event or in a geographic area (e.g. city or county) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
• You have had a sexual partner in the past 2 weeks who has been diagnosed with mpox
• You have HIV or other causes of immunosuppression and have recently had or anticipate future risk of exposure to mpox from any of the above scenarios

About mpox

Mpox is a potentially serious viral illness caused by a virus that is transmitted through close physical contact. The disease can make you sick, including a possibly painful rash, which may look like bumps on the skin, blisters or ulcers. Some people have a flu-like illness before developing a rash.

Anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone with mpox can become infected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Although the mpox vaccine is a valuable tool in preventing disease, there are other preventative measures you can take. These include washing your hands often with soap or water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoiding contact with objects and materials that a person with of mpox has used.

The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is a series of two doses given 28 days apart. LDH and NOHD will announce other second dose vaccination events as they are scheduled.