Once again, research affirms that healthcare professionals remain the most trusted source of information (73%) and can significantly influence disease prevention efforts, such as vaccination.
A University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center survey published on April 24, 2025, found that 58% of adults say they would be willing to be vaccinated against mpox if their healthcare provider recommended it.
This data represents a 12% increase since 2022.
An article published in Vaccine (Volume 56, May 22, 2025, 127141) reported that people's self-reported knowledge about mpox has increased to 40%, and their confidence in their ability to protect themselves (self-efficacy) has risen to 55%. The average level of perceived risk now stands at 3.2. These numbers have improved compared to the 2022 survey.
However, the study found that people living in the Health and Human Services Region 1, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, were the least likely to get the mpox vaccine, even when it was recommended.
The researchers emphasized that there is still a strong need to educate adults about mpox to boost both awareness and willingness to get vaccinated. They noted that people continue to show a high level of trust in healthcare professionals and officials. Therefore, future communication about mpox and other infectious diseases should use these trusted sources to share important public health information.
In May 2022, an unprecedented global outbreak of mpox Clade IIb prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Since then, mpox cases, including Clade 1, have been reported in more than 126 WHO Member States.
