Minnesota Department of Health Shares How to Stay Safe From Mpox and HIV in 2025

Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health

Cases of mpox have come down significantly since 2022, according to Jose Ramirez of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). While there were 234 reported cases of mpox in Minnesota in 2022, there were only 18 reported cases in the state in 2023 and 20 at the time of reporting in 2024, according to MDH.

Ramirez wants to make sure it stays that way. That starts with dispelling common misconceptions about mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

“One of the biggest misconceptions right now is that mpox is an STI, it isn’t,” Ramirez says. “Mpox is a variant of the smallpox virus. It’s not only transmitted through sexual contact, but also other physical contact.”

That physical contact can be something as simple as a hug, according to Ramirez. He recalls when MDH was at Twin Cities Pride and they came across a booth of moms offering hugs. He asked if they had received the mpox vaccine, and when they said they hadn’t, he explained the ability of mpox to spread through physical contact. By the end of the day, the moms at the booth had joined the many people who received the mpox vaccine at Pride festivals over the summer.

The mpox vaccine is a two-dose series, and the CDC recommends getting the second dose four weeks after the first dose. If someone can’t get the second dose at four weeks, they should still get it as soon as possible.

“Lots of people got their first dose at TC Pride 2023 and their second dose at TC Pride 2024,” Ramirez says.

Ramirez and MDH recommend the mpox vaccine to high-risk individuals: those with many sexual partners, taking PrEP or who are immunocompromised.

The vaccine is covered by most health insurance providers, according to Ramirez. For those concerned with the cost of the vaccine, he recommends they check out Red Door Clinic in Hennepin County or Clinic 555 in Ramsey County for low- or no-cost options.

“We had a lot of efforts over the last year to get the vaccine out into the community,” Ramirez says.

Those efforts, including vaccination clinics at large events like Pride festivals, drew on a national vaccine stockpile, according to Ramirez. That stockpile has since been depleted, which means the best way to get the vaccine is through primary care providers rather than mass clinics.

In 2025, MDH wants to “get social awareness out around STIs, HIV and the mpox vaccine,” Ramirez says. Like with mpox, there are common misconceptions surrounding STIs including HIV. For example, Ramirez says that many people are unaware that Minnesota is in the midst of an HIV outbreak that was declared in 2020.

Ramirez says that MDH is reevaluating their data to get a better picture of the outbreak. MDH currently estimates that 1,100 people in Minnesota are living with HIV and are unaware of their status. They also note that almost two-thirds, 65%, of new HIV cases affect people of color, and that “Social and structural issues like racism, HIV stigma, homophobia, poverty and access to insurance and high-quality health care continue to drive health disparities,” according to an MDH statement.

As part of combatting this, Ramirez recommends getting tested. For those who do sex work or are taking PrEP, he recommends testing every three months. For people with many sexual partners, who are immunocompromised or who inject drugs, he recommends testing every six months. Even those who aren’t in any of those categories should get tested at least once in their life, according to Ramirez.

“Early diagnosis of HIV is critical in order to start treatment and live a long and healthy life with HIV,” according to the MDH statement.

Ramirez highlighted the importance of collaboration and the positive impact of partnerships with “really awesome partners” like The Aliveness Project on MDH’s efforts to raise awareness and protect communities from HIV.

Ramirez and MDH are also big proponents of PrEP, he says, and want to raise awareness that “U=U,” undetectable equals untransmittable. MDH also advocates for “correct and consistent” condom use and avoiding sharing syringes, needles, cotton or cookers to prevent the spread of HIV.

“We’re encouraging individuals to engage in care because when they’re engaged, the likelihood of passing on HIV is slim to none,” Ramirez says.