Another strain of mpox has arrived in the US. How is Chicago preparing?
December 11, 2024
Chicago’s response to the mpox epidemic has set a public health standard through community-focused vaccination campaigns and interagency partnerships involving hospitals, nonprofits, and the city’s health department. However, the emergence of the virulent clade I strain and reduced federal funding threaten these efforts. While Chicago has maintained outreach and vaccination services, the discontinuation of free vaccines like Jynneos raises access concerns, particularly for uninsured and marginalized groups. Strengthened national coordination, proactive investments, and stigma-free education remain essential to sustaining mpox control and protecting vulnerable populations, including individuals with HIV and those in medically underserved communities.
Chicago’s public health response to mpox has demonstrated resilience despite dwindling federal funding and the emergence of the deadlier clade I strain. Weekly case numbers remain in single digits, thanks to sustained community outreach, vaccination events, and a collaborative framework involving hospitals like Rush University Medical Center and nonprofits like Calor and the AIDS Foundation Chicago. These efforts have been critical in mitigating mpox’s disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ populations and immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV.
However, resource contraction poses significant challenges. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has scaled back data reporting and shifted vaccination responsibility to its Syndemic Infectious Disease and Immunizations Bureaus. This operational shift reflects broader national trends, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stopped publishing state-level vaccine coverage data in January. Meanwhile, intercity communication on mpox response has weakened, leaving public health leaders without essential insights into what’s working elsewhere.
Equally concerning is the commercialization of the Jynneos vaccine, raising fears that uninsured and underinsured individuals will face access barriers. Advocacy organizations like PrEP4All have urged federal agencies to ensure continued vaccine availability for vulnerable communities. Stigma linked to mpox’s sexual health associations further complicates public health outreach, particularly in conservative states with minimal governmental support for LGBTQ+ health initiatives.
Chicago’s multi-agency coordination offers a model of proactive mpox management that balances public-private partnerships and community engagement. To maintain this progress, local and federal health authorities must renew investments in vaccination programs, expand data-sharing mechanisms, and destigmatize mpox through culturally competent education campaigns. The fight against mpox is far from over, and continued vigilance is crucial to preventing another outbreak and safeguarding the most at-risk populations.