CDC shared the following message to their prevention partners regarding HIV, mpox, STI and other health resources for organizers of LGBTQIA+ summer events.

Dear Partners in Prevention:

With the warmer months approaching, many are looking forward to events that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. As health departments, prevention service providers, and community-based organizations, this gives you an opportunity to share important messages about testing, prevention, and treatment of health conditions that disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ people.

Without renewed prevention efforts, including vaccination, we are at risk for a resurgence of mpox. This possibility is a particular concern as we approach spring and summer with planned gatherings that may have high potential for skin-to-skin contact or that are associated with increased sexual activity. In fact, a slight increase in cases of mpox has already been reported to CDC.

You can find a wealth of resources to help you and your event attendees at our Get Healthy and Ready for Summer 2023 website. 

Are you hosting an event?

• Please share the Get Healthy and Ready for Summer 2023 website onto your event website.
• Embed one or both of the locators below to help event goers find prevention services.
  • If you offer the mpox vaccine or provide HIV and STD prevention services, but are not listed on the locators, please submit your information to https://npin.cdc.gov/organization/submit.

1. 

   To help people find mpox vaccine only, embed the Mpox Vaccine Locator onto your website:
   • The Mpox Vaccine Locator allows people to find mpox vaccine. To embed the Mpox Vaccine Locator onto your website visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/vaccines/ and click “Embed” on the widget or copy the code below and paste it into your Web page:

     <div data-cdc-widget="DynWidgets" data-component-name="MpoxLocator"></div> <script src="//tools.cdc.gov/1M1B"></script>

2. To help people find comprehensive services, embed the Comprehensive Services Locator onto your website:
   • The Comprehensive Services Locator provides a one-stop search option for HIV & STI testing, treatment, prevention, and more! Visit https://www.hiv.gov/locator for instructions on how to add the code below into your Web page.

     

     <!-- LOCATOR.HIV.GOV WIDGET --><script type="module" src="https://locator.hiv.gov/build/locator-widget.esm.js"></script><script nomodule src="https://locator.hiv.gov/build/locator-widget.js"></script><locator-widget skin="cdc"></locator-widget> widget skin="cdc"></locator-widget>src="//tools.cdc.gov/1M1B"></script>

• CDC’s Mpox Toolkit for Event Organizers is a ready-to-use resource on how to promote mpox prevention strategies during large gathering or social events.
• Use the Let’s Stop HIV Together Pride-In-A-Box Toolkit to incorporate HIV campaign messaging and resources into your activities during Pride season.
• Our STI Awareness Toolkit offers tips on providing STI information and testing during STI Awareness Week but is easily adapted for use throughout the year.
• Consult the Stop Overdose Toolkit for Public Health and Safety Professionals for information and strategies that are critical to preventing overdoses and reducing stigma related to drug use and addiction.
• Download and share videos answering the most common mpox questions. Videos are also available in SpanishExit Disclaimer.

Do you need resources for event attendees?

Below is a collection of resources that can be distributed to event goers to help them make informed choices that can keep them healthy before, during and after attending events this summer.

• For individuals that need to find mpox vaccine, please direct them to use the NEW Mpox Vaccine Locator Widget! Available at: www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/vaccines/ by using the QR Code „

• The new Together TakeMeHomeExit Disclaimer online portal allows people in the United States, including Puerto Rico, to order up to two free HIV self-tests every 90 days.
• Share fact sheets on Mpox and Safer Sex and lowering the chances of getting mpox during social gatherings.
• Provide information about the available vaccines for mpox, Hepatitis A & B and HIV prevention medicines like pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
• Order free books, fact sheets, pamphlets, and other educational materials at CDC-INFO On Demand and have materials shipped to you free of charge!
• Stop Overdose by sharing information about the dangers of using and mixing drugs, the lifesaving power of naloxone, and the importance of reducing stigma around recovery and treatment options.

Thank you for all you do to help people have a healthy, safe summer!