HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest
June 29, 2022
Highlights of the Week
National Monkeypox Vaccine Strategy: Phase One
The Administration released its first phase of its national monkeypox vaccine strategy this week. This phase of the strategy aims to rapidly deploy vaccines in the most affected communities and mitigate the spread of the disease. With this national monkeypox vaccine strategy, the United States is significantly expanding deployment of JYNNEOS vaccines from the Strategic National Stockpile, allocating 296,000 doses over the coming weeks, 56,000 of which will be allocated immediately. Over the coming months a combined 1.6 million additional doses will become available.
JYNNEOS vaccine will be allocated using a four-tier distribution strategy that prioritizes jurisdictions with the highest case rates of monkeypox. Within each tier, doses of JYNNEOS will be allocated based on the number of individuals at risk for monkeypox who also have a contraindication to ACAM2000 (the small pox-approved vaccine, which has meaningful side effects).
At this point, there will not be prescriptive federal guidance about how to prioritize or use their allotments, but NACCHO has expressed interest in unform guidance and messaging to help prevent miscommunications to the community.
For more details about this strategy, please review this fact sheet. We will share more as we get it. Please keep us posted on efforts in your community so we can continue to ensure that the LHD voice is included in these conversations.
ICYMI: June 27th was National HIV Testing Day! This year’s theme was “HIV Testing is Self-care” because knowing your status gives you powerful information to help stay healthy. Click the link above to read the full blog!
HIV, STI, Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Resources and News
Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in Florida
There is an ongoing outbreak of serogroup C meningococcal disease in Florida, primarily among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, including those living with HIV. This outbreak is on track to be the largest meningococcal disease outbreak among MSM in U.S. history. Recent data show that about half of the cases associated with this outbreak are among Hispanic men.
In response to this outbreak, CDC recommends MSM living in Florida get vaccinated against meningococcal disease with a MenACWY vaccine. In addition, CDC is highlighting that MenACWY vaccination is routinely recommended for all people with HIV in the United States. While this outbreak is mostly affecting people who live in Florida, it has also affected some people who have traveled to the state. Considering this and the number of Pride events being held in the state in the coming weeks, CDC encourages MSM who are traveling to Florida to talk with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated too.
Division of STD Prevention’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026 – Call for Input
CDC’s Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) is currently updating its strategic plan. As part of these efforts, DSTDP is holding listening sessions with external partners and recipients to inform the strategic direction and how it delivers on its mission.
As you review the plan, please reflect on the following questions:
1. How can DSTDP encourage ownership and accountability for STI prevention and control?
2. Of the objectives and strategies proposed, what do you think DSTDP should prioritize?
3. Are there major gaps or missed opportunities in the proposed plan?
Register here to join the listening session on June 30th to provide input on the questions above and share ways to improve the proposed strategic plan.
HIV Testing Dropped Sharply Among Key Groups During First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic
New CDC data published ahead of National HIV Testing Day (Monday, June 27) show a sharp decrease in the number of CDC-funded HIV tests administered in health care and non-health-care settings (43% and 50%, respectively) from 2019 to 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the above link for more info.
Indian Health Service is collaborating with National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors to better understand the landscape of programs serving American Indian and Alaska Native people who use drugs. They are hoping to use this information to better inform a collaborative approach to building services and linking programs across Native communities and programs. The National Assessment of Programs Serving American Indian and Alaska Native People Who Use Drugs can be found at the link above and takes about 5 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Leston, [email protected].
New Campaign Seeks to Improve Health of People with HIV and Prevent New Transmissions
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new, national campaign to encourage people who live with HIV wo are not in care to seek and stay in care and achieve viral suppression. “I am a Work of ART” focuses on the positive benefits of being virally suppressed. Click the links for more information.
From the Field: Research, Policy, and Project Updates
New Monkeypox Resources on CDC’s Monkeypox Webpage
CDC is sharing two new resources to stay current on Monkeypox information. The Clinicians FAQ answers common questions from healthcare providers and can be used in conjunction with CDC’s Information for Healthcare Professionals. The Social Gatherings, Safer Sex, and Monkeypox is a resource for individuals to help understand and mitigate the risk of contracting Monkeypox.
Updated Case-finding Guidance: Monkeypox Outbreak – Unites States, 2022
This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update serves to alert clinicians to clinical presentations of monkeypox seen so far in the United States and to provide updated and expanded case definitions intended to encourage testing for monkeypox among persons presenting for care with relevant history, signs, and symptoms. In addition, this Health Update provides an update to a HAN Health Advisory, Monkeypox Virus Infection in the United States and Other Non-endemic Countries—2022, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued on May 20, 2022.
In the News
- U.S. CDC confirms evidence of local monkeypox transmission - Reuters
- How lessons from the HIV epidemic are shaping the public health response to monkeypox - Today
- U.S. to expand monkeypox testing at commercial labs as outbreak grows - Washington Post
- Why the monkeypox outbreak is mostly affecting men who have sex with men - Science
- LGBTQ Pride events offer a make-or-break moment for monkeypox - NBC
Events and Webinars
Monkeypox: Updates about Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment
June 29th 2:00-3:00pm ET
Hosted by: CDC-Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA)
CDC Division of STD Prevention Strategic Plan Listening Session 2
June 30th 11:30am-1:00pm ET
Hosted by: CDC’s DSTDP
Monkeypox: What Clinicians Need to Know
June 30th 1:00pm ET
Hosted by: HRSA
Check Yourself: How LHDs Can Use Self-collected STI Tests
July 14th 2:00pm ET
Hosted by: NCSD and LetsGetChecked
Adolescent Focused Motivational Interviewing Workshop
July 18th 1:00 – 4:00pm ET
Hosted by: NCSD
