The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), in partnership with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD), will offer mpox vaccines during two upcoming Pride events.
The vaccine sites will be located at the following locations:
  • Black Pride Community Fest: Friday, June 9, 1-5 p.m. at Lemann Park, 628 N. Claiborne Ave. (along the Lafitte Greenway)
  • Pride Fest: Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at 941 Elysian Fields Ave.
LDH continues to identify new mpox cases in Louisiana residents, though at much lower levels than reported during summer 2022. With upcoming summer events and festivals on the horizon, Louisiana may be at risk of resurgence or new mpox outbreaks. LDH and NOHD are encouraging those at greatest risk to stay up to date on their mpox vaccines to protect themselves and others. 
Those most at risk for mpox include the following groups:
  • You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following:
    • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
    • More than one sex partner
  • You have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
    • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
  • You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
  • You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure from any of the above scenarios
About mpox
Mpox is a potentially serious viral illness caused by a virus that is spread through close physical contact. The disease can make you sick, including a possibly painful rash, which may look like bumps on your skin, blisters or ulcers. Some people have a flu-like illness before they develop a rash. 
Anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has mpox can be infected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
While the mpox vaccine is a valuable tool in preventing illness, there are other prevention steps you can take. These include washing your hands often with soap or water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoiding contact with objects and materials that a person with mpox has used.
The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is a series of two doses administered 28 days apart. LDH and NOHD will announce additional second-dose vaccine events as they are scheduled.
Testing for mpox is now widely available. If you have symptoms and would like to be tested for mpox, contact your healthcare provider. Anyone without a provider or insurance can also be tested at their local parish health unit or community clinic: ldh.la.gov/phu