Mpox immunization coverage survey: Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs

Use the charts in this page to learn about mpox awareness, perceptions, knowledge and vaccine hesitancy in Canada. Find out which sources of information populations use to learn about the mpox vaccine.

On this page

• Virus awareness
• Vaccine awareness
• Concern of getting mpox
• Perceived public health threat of viruses
• Vaccine hesitancy
• Obstacles to mpox vaccination
• Sources of information sought for mpox vaccines
• Vaccine perception

Virus awareness

In 2023, most cis, gay men (95%) and cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation (80%) reported that they had seen, read or heard at least a little about mpox.

In 2024, 80% of 2SLGBTQ+ people had seen, read or heard at least a little about mpox. 74% of those who are not 2SLGBTQ+ reported the same.

In 2025, 86% of people who are 2SLGBTQ+ and 82% of people who are not 2SLGBTQ+ had seen, read or heard at least a little about mpox.

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

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Figure 1: Text description

Figure 1: Data notes

Vaccine awareness

Among those who had seen, read or heard about mpox at least a little:

• in 2023, 85% of cis, gay men were aware that a vaccine against mpox was available in Canada
• in 2023, 60% of cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation were aware that a vaccine against mpox was available in Canada
• vaccine awareness among 2SLGBTQ+ people did not change between 2024 and 2025 (46% in 2024 and 47% in 2025)
  • There was a similar pattern among those who are not 2SLGBTQ+ (27% in 2024 and 32% in 2025).

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 2: Text description

Figure 2: Data notes

Concern of getting mpox

Among those who were aware of mpox:

• In 2023, 36% of cis, gay men said they were not at all concerned about getting the mpox virus. 64% of cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation reported they were not at all concerned
• In 2024, 2SLGBTQ+ people were less likely to report that they were not at all concerned about getting the mpox virus compared to those who are not 2SLGTQI+ (58% vs. 72%)
• In 2025, 50% of 2SLGBTQ+ people reported that they were “not at all concerned” about getting the mpox virus, compared to 61% of those who are not 2SLGBTQ+.
  • Compared to 2024, in 2025 2SLGBTQ+ people are less likely to report that they were “not at all concerned” about getting mpox, (50% vs 58% in 2024). The same pattern was seen for people who are not 2SLGBTQ+ that said they were “not at all concerned” (61% vs. 72% in 2024).

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 3: Text description

Figure 3: Data notes

Perceived public health threat of viruses

In 2023, among all respondents, mpox virus (50%) and HIV (41%) were perceived as a lower public health threat in Canada compared to COVID-19 (24%) and seasonal influenza (20%). The same pattern holds among cis, gay men and cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation.

In 2024, among all respondents, mpox virus (62%) and HIV (57%) were perceived as a lower public health threat in Canada compared to COVID-19 (23%) and seasonal influenza (20%). The same pattern holds among 2SLGBTQ+ people.

In 2025, among all respondents, mpox (55%), HIV (47%) and gonorrhea (37%) were perceived as lower public health threats in Canada compared to chlamydia and HPV (each 31%). The same pattern holds among 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 4: Text description

Figure 4: Data notes

Vaccine hesitancy

In 2023, 13% of a subset* of cis, gay men reported that they are or have been hesitant to get vaccinated against mpox. 18% of a subset* of cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation reported that they are or have been hesitant to get vaccinated against mpox.

Vaccine hesitancy was reported among 13% of a subset of 2SLGBTQ+ people in 2024 and 19% of a subset in 2025.

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 5: Text description

Figure 5: Data notes

Obstacles to mpox vaccination

In 2025, overall, 36% of 2SLGBTQ+ people reported that they have not encountered any obstacles that made it difficult to get vaccinated against mpox. This is lower than the 39% reported among non-2SLGBTQ+ people.

Among 2SLGBTQ+ people who reported at least one obstacle encountered, the most commonly reported obstacle was unclear eligibility for the mpox vaccine (39%).

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2025

Figure 6: Text description

Figure 6: Data notes

Sources of information sought for mpox vaccines

In 2023, the Public Health Agency of Canada or Health Canada was the top source of information about mpox vaccine for:

• 53% of cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation
• 44% of cis, heterosexual men

In 2023, health care providers were the top source of information about mpox vaccine for cis, gay men (53%).

In 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada or Health Canada was the top source of information about mpox vaccine for 2SLGBTQ+ people (48%). Health care providers were the top source for those who are not 2SLGBTQ+ (53%).

In 2025, health care providers were the top source of information about the mpox vaccine for both those who are and are not 2SLGBTQ+ (53% for each group).

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 7: Text description

Figure 7: Data notes

Vaccine perception

In 2023, more than 80% of cis, gay men and cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation believed that vaccines in general are safe and effective.

In 2023, most cis, gay men and cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation agreed that:

• vaccines are an effective way to reduce the risk of contracting mpox (91% and 80%, respectively)
• felt confident that they can protect themselves from mpox by getting a vaccine (87% and 74%, respectively)

In 2023, among cis, gay men and cis men who identified as bisexual, asexual, pansexual, or other sexual orientation:

• 84% and 66%, respectively, agreed that the mpox vaccine is effective for protection before exposure to mpox virus
• 36% and 25%, respectively, agreed that mpox vaccine is effective in providing protection after exposure to mpox (before any signs or symptoms)

In 2024 and 2025, most 2SLGBTQ+ people:

• agreed that vaccines in general are effective (90% and 93%, respectively) and safe (89% and 90%, respectively)
• agreed that vaccines are an effective way to protect others against contracting mpox (76% and 83%, respectively)
• felt confident that they can protect themselves from mpox by getting a vaccine (71% and 77%, respectively)
• are more likely to agree with these statements than those who are not 2SLGBTQ+

Among 2SLGBTQ+ people:

• In 2025, 68% agreed that the mpox vaccine is effective for protection before exposure to a probable or confirmed case of mpox.
  • This is an increase from 56% in 2024.
• In 2024 and 2025, fewer than 30% agreed that the mpox vaccine is effective in providing protection after exposure to a probable or confirmed case of mpox (25% and 29%, respectively).

Data source: Mpox Immunization Coverage survey among the 2SLGBTQ+ population, 2023, 2024 and 2025

Figure 8: Text description

Figure 8: Data notes