City Health Department Expands Vaccination Efforts to Address Mpox Outbreak After 134 Cases Reported in Chicago Since June
October 24, 2025
Chicago’s mpox outbreak has climbed to more than 130 cases since June, prompting the city to intensify vaccination and outreach efforts. While the infection remains concentrated among networks of gay and bisexual men, health officials stress that anyone can contract mpox through close contact. The Chicago Department of Public Health is expanding vaccination access across community sites, bars, and colleges, emphasizing prevention and harm reduction rather than abstinence. Though most infections are mild and recovery occurs within weeks, vulnerable individuals remain at risk of severe disease. Renewed vigilance, accessible vaccines, and continued education are critical to keeping transmission under control.
Chicago’s recent surge of mpox cases underscores the continued importance of vaccination, education, and community engagement in controlling this viral infection. Since June, the city has recorded 134 cases, with 14 new infections reported in a single week. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) attributes the majority of cases to networks of gay and bisexual men, though the virus can spread through any close physical contact.
Health officials are responding with a multifaceted strategy that blends vaccination, outreach, and harm reduction. Vaccines are available at community events, bars, gyms, and clinics throughout the city. CDPH is prioritizing men who have sex with men and have multiple partners, a group identified as higher risk for exposure. The two-dose vaccine series, administered one month apart, remains a cornerstone of prevention.
Dr. Andrew Crone of Howard Brown Health emphasizes the importance of “harm reduction” approaches—encouraging vaccination and safer practices rather than discouraging sexual activity altogether. This pragmatic approach reflects lessons learned from previous outbreaks, recognizing that empathy, education, and accessibility foster stronger community trust and engagement.
Although most mpox cases resolve within two to four weeks without intensive treatment, some patients—particularly those who are immunocompromised or have other health conditions—may face severe illness requiring hospitalization. Since 2022, four Chicago residents have died from mpox, underscoring that vigilance remains essential even as case numbers fluctuate.
Notably, several of the city’s 2025 cases occurred in people vaccinated during the 2022 outbreak, suggesting that while vaccines help reduce severity, immunity may wane over time. Health officials also caution that mild or undiagnosed cases likely contribute to underreporting.
Chicago’s proactive combination of free vaccination, targeted outreach, and transparent communication provides a model for urban mpox containment—balancing scientific rigor with compassion and equity to protect public health.