Mpox vaccination coverage among Australian gay and bisexual men and non-binary people: Results of behavioural surveillance in early 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We examined characteristics associated with mpox vaccine uptake among gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men and non-binary people (GBQ+ people), the primary target group for Australian vaccination programs following the mid-2022 outbreak. METHODS: Vaccine uptake was assessed using cross-sectional surveys of GBQ+ people from three Australian jurisdictions in 2024: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and Victoria. Sexually active, mpox-undiagnosed participants were included. Multivariable logistic regression examined: (1) no vaccination vs. partial/full vaccination, and (2) partial vs. full vaccination. RESULTS: Among 4252 participants, 46.2 % were unvaccinated, 12.3 % had received one vaccine dose, and 41.5 % had received two doses. Any vaccination was associated with: being >30 years old, being university-educated, being in a relationship, greater GBQ+ social engagement, being a PrEP user or person living with HIV vs. an HIV-negative non-PrEP-user, testing for HIV in the last year vs. >12 months ago, being diagnosed with chlamydia ≤12 months ago, having 2-10 recent sexual partners or > 10 partners vs. one recent partner, and meeting sex partners at sex venues and overseas. No vaccination was associated with: being bisexual vs. gay, being born in Asia or Latin America vs. Australia, and living in outer metropolitan or regional/remote areas vs. inner metropolitan areas. Compared to partial vaccination, full vaccination was associated with: being >30 years old, being a transgender vs. cisgender man, being university educated, and having >10 recent sexual partners vs. one. CONCLUSIONS: Socially and clinically engaged gay men were more likely to be vaccinated against mpox. Younger participants, bisexual participants, those born in Asia and Latin America, and those living outside inner metropolitan areas were less likely to be vaccinated. We recommend targeted messaging and outreach to increase vaccination among people who attend sexual health services less frequently and those less socially engaged with QBQ+ people.

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