Pivoting COVID-19 Resources for an Equitable Mpox Vaccine Response in Louisiana
Arundhati Bakshi, PhD,
John McClure, BS,
Theresa Sokol, MPH,
Lee Mendoza, PhD,
Arun Adhikari, PhD,
Nancy Zhao, MPH,
Suryatapa Kar, MPH,
Jimmy Gale, BS,
Javone Davis Charles, MPH,
Kyle Freese, PhD, MPH,
Ousswa Kudia, MPH,
Sara Brown, MPH
Affiliations
Arundhati Bakshi, PhD
Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana; Address correspondence to: Arundhati Bakshi, PhD, Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans LA.
John McClure, BS
Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Theresa Sokol, MPH
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Lee Mendoza, PhD
Bureau of Health Informatics, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Arun Adhikari, PhD
Bureau of Health Informatics, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Nancy Zhao, MPH
Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Suryatapa Kar, MPH
Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Jimmy Gale, BS
STD/HIV Program, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Javone Davis Charles, MPH
Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Introduction: The first case of mpox in Louisiana was identified 2 months ahead of Southern Decadence Festival in New Orleans, the largest LGBTQ+ Pride festival in the South. With mpox case numbers reflecting racial disparities, the objective was to mount an equitable vaccination response. Methods: The Louisiana Department of Health rapidly pivoted its COVID-19 resources and strategies—specifically, using vaccine strike teams and mobile events, in-state vaccine redistribution through centralized warehousing and shipping support, and community partnerships—to now control mpox transmission. Here, the authors have evaluated state-based Immunization Information System data to examine whether the vaccination response was geographically and racially equitable. Geographic equity was measured by taking into account vaccine availability as well as uptake in areas with high Social Vulnerability Index. Results: A total of 113 providers were enrolled in the vaccination program, and 96 mobile vaccination events were held in locations frequented by at-risk populations. Racial disparities among vaccine recipients decreased over time, and vaccine availability and uptake were equitable in areas with high Social Vulnerability Indices. However, Black, female, and Hispanic/Latinx patients had significantly higher risk of not completing the 2-dose series than their counterparts. Conclusions: The mpox vaccination response in Louisiana was geographically equitable, though some demographic disparities remained.
