Mpox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program

On September 15, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the Mpox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program (VEPP). This program was developed to support innovative ways to reach populations most affected by mpox that were experiencing mpox vaccination disparities, such as Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as people who are transgender. Barriers to vaccination may include language differences, inability to access vaccination sites, lack of transportation, lack of paid time off, low vaccine confidence, mistrust of government, and lack of access to online scheduling technology. Additionally, people may avoid vaccination events oriented toward specific sexual or gender identities or sexual activities out of fear of being stigmatized. State, territorial, or local health departments, tribal governments or tribal organizations, and non-governmental organizations could apply to VEPP. Jurisdictions with an approved VEPP application could receive JYNNEOS vaccine replenishment following an outreach event. Vaccines provided through VEPP were set aside to ensure more vaccines were equitably reaching communities where the outbreak was most severe and did not count towards a jurisdiction’s JYNNEOS supply threshold set by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

On February 15, 2023, CDC stopped accepting applications for VEPP due to the wide-spread availability and supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine, and the implementation of long-term vaccine equity efforts. CDC will continue to monitor the outbreak and vaccine equity and is ready to resume VEPP, if needed. Jurisdictions with approved VEPP applications were not impacted by the VEPP application acceptance pause and could continue to work on their vaccine distribution activities.

VEPP accepted 28 applications from 14 states and Puerto Rico. Approved applications were categorized into two strategies. In the first strategy, jurisdictions implemented vaccination events designed to reach populations disproportionately affected by mpox who are also experiencing vaccination disparities, including Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, as well as people who are transgender. In the second strategy, jurisdictions implemented vaccination events with a broad reach, such as public festivals, general Pride events, and outreach through bars, nightclubs, and other venues frequented by members of the LGBTQIA+ community.