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Policy & Community Engagement

Category: Mpox

(P221) Attitudes and Barriers Regarding Mpox Vaccine Among Unvaccinated Men Who Have Sex with Men

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
16:00 – 18:00 CST
Background

The 2022 mpox outbreak has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Vaccination is an important tool in preventing the spread of mpox. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends JYNNEOS vaccination for people at high risk for mpox infection. To better understand reasons for not getting the mpox vaccine, the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) and CDC conducted a virtual focus group with unvaccinated MSM who are at-risk for mpox.

Methods

In October and November 2022, MSM were recruited through online panels to participate in a virtual 60-minute, moderated focus group within an artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Participants were asked open- and closed-ended questions through a chat-based conversation. The AI platform used machine learning and natural language processing to immediately analyze participants’ responses and provide results instantly to the moderator. After the session, descriptive frequencies, cross-tabulations and qualitative themes were analyzed.

Results

Fifty-one MSM participated, of whom 39% reported wanting the mpox vaccine but 76% had never tried to get it. When participants were asked if they would get the vaccine if it were available to them right now, 55% reported they would, with similar proportions of white (55%), Black (50%), and Latino/Hispanic (44%) men answering affirmatively. Concerns about getting vaccinated included injection site scarring (31%), rashes (29%), or fear of healthcare provider stigmatization (27%). The top three barriers experienced when trying to get the vaccine (N=12) included: challenges in scheduling appointments (33%), finding available vaccine locations (25%), and transportation issues (17%). Among the participants who want the vaccine (N=20), 70% considered themselves to be at high or medium risk of contracting mpox.

Conclusion

Gay, bisexual, and other MSM experience barriers in accessing the mpox vaccine, a vital prevention tool to averting another outbreak. Messaging about vaccine effectiveness, potential side effects, and how to access the vaccine may improve vaccine uptake. Improving healthcare provider cultural competency, expanding vaccine availability, and establishing non-traditional vaccination programs such as at pop-up events may also improve uptake.