"Surge in US Covid Cases Linked to Lagging Vaccination Rates and Emerging Threats"

Mpox cases in the US have doubled compared to last year, with 511 cases reported by March 16. Experts emphasize the need to improve vaccination coverage as transmission risks rise. The public health emergency expired over a year ago, reducing federal resources, and low vaccination rates leave many at risk. A more transmissible subtype of the virus has been identified, and efforts to reach at-risk populations are crucial. Vaccination is seen as a more sustainable measure for prevention, and the vaccine is expected to be more widely available in pharmacies and health-care offices next month.