Trending Now - Boston Sees Increase in Mpox Cases Amid National Decline

WHO:

The Boston Globe - Dr. Kathryn Himmelstein, medical director of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Infectious Disease Bureau.

The Boston Globe - Boston Public Health Commission.

The Boston Globe - Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

WHAT:

The Boston Globe - Boston is experiencing an increase in mpox cases.

The Boston Globe - 77 mpox cases were reported in Massachusetts between August 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, up from 23 cases in the same period the previous year.

The Boston Globe - Only two cases were reported in Massachusetts between April 1 and May 28.

The Boston Globe - The two-series mpox vaccine is 80% effective in preventing illness and lessens symptoms.

Boston.com News - Mpox vaccinations will be offered during the Pride flag-raising event at Boston City Hall on June 1.

WHERE:

The Boston Globe - Boston, Massachusetts.

The Boston Globe - Vaccination clinics will be set up in Boston.

WHEN:

Boston.com News - The Pride flag-raising event will take place on June 1.

WHY:

The Boston Globe - The rise in mpox cases may be attributed to a large share of unvaccinated individuals in the community, including those who were too young to receive the vaccine during the widespread attention in 2022.

HOW:

The Boston Globe - Boston is launching new vaccination efforts, including setting up several mpox vaccination clinics over the summer months, offering low or no-cost vaccines.

(UPDATED May 30, 2026 17:19 UTC)

Boston is seeing a concerning rise in mpox cases, with 77 reported in Massachusetts between August 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, a significant increase from just 23 cases during the same period the previous year. To combat this trend, Boston is launching new vaccination efforts, including clinics that will offer the two-series mpox vaccine, which is 80% effective in preventing illness, during the Pride flag-raising event at City Hall on June 1. Health officials attribute the increase in cases to a large number of unvaccinated individuals in the community, including those who were too young to receive the vaccine during the heightened awareness in 2022.