With Atlanta Pride right around the corner, Oct. 12 -13, a national LGBTQ health expert shared some important healthcare tips for keeping the community healthy now and in the future.
Additionally, Fulton County Board of Health will be offering vaccinations at Piedmont Park during the two-day event. Monkey Pox (Mpox) will be one of the vaccinations offered as well.
Mpox cases in Georgia are more than double what they were at this time last year, and the CDC is now urging those at risk to be vaccinated due to an increase in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the CDC, this outbreak poses “a global threat for potential spread.”
Mpox is a viral disease that can spread through close or intimate contact, but the good news is that it can be prevented with a vaccine that is more available than ever before. However, national vaccination rates are low overall. In fact, Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that only 23% of the population at risk has been fully vaccinated nationally.
Brian Hujdich, Executive Director of the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, says that getting vaccinated against mpox is the best way to protect yourself and the community against the disease. In an interview, Brian will share more about preventive measures for mpox, HIV, STDs, and other ways to stay healthy.
Hujdich said their National Coalition for LGBTQ health has been encouraging the LGBTQ+ community, especially the LGBTQ+ Black community to stay current on Mpox cases and rates because it’s had a “disproportionate impact on the Black community”.
“To be able to enjoy pride events and not worry about contracting mpox, there is a vaccination available,” he said. “Recently, a vaccine was approved that’s much easier to administer and accessible through primary care doctors, health centers, pharmacies. We’re encouraging everyone in the community to discuss this with their providers and see if vaccination is right for them.”
He encourages everyone to be aware of what’s happening especially when they’re interacting in a crowd and in some proximity to people. Also, if you’re not vaccinated, he encouraged people to regularly wash their hands and avoid skin-to-skin contact.
Additionally, Hujdich said his concern is people might be exhausted from having to address all the different viruses and outbreaks.
“We’re all human, so we do get to a point where it’s information overload or asking yourself, ‘how much more can I worry about things and not just get on with my life,’” he said. “That’s why we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for people to just get the information where they can get vaccinated or know where they can get tested.”
Hujdich said if things continue to progress in the right direction, he thinks things will be good because people are still accessing information. However, he said he has a different concern of mixed messaging from people who “don’t believe in science or don’t believe in vaccination”.
“We want to put unbiased, credible information out so people can stay informed and get the facts so they can decide how they want to move forward,” he said.
Furthermore, Hujdich said to the people who may still be undecided or don’t want to get vaccinated, they should look at the information.
“Ultimately, they’ll have to make their own decisions, but I think if they look at the information, we see what the incidents can be, the vaccination rates/successes. I would encourage them to rethink it can’t happen to them.
For more information and resources, visit https://healthlgbtq.org/mpox/ and for information about Mpox on CDC’s website, visit https://wonder.cdc.gov/nndss/static/2024/39/2024-39-table968.html.