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Health Officials Wind Down Monkeypox PHE, Urge Prevention
By Amy Lynn Sorrel

Given the downturn in monkeypox cases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra recently announced the agency does not expect to renew the public health emergency declaration regarding the infectious disease when it ends on Jan. 31.

HHS will, however, "continue to monitor the case trends closely and encourage all at-risk individuals to get a free vaccine," he said in a statement. "As we move into the next phase of this effort, the Biden-Harris Administration continues working closely with jurisdictions and partners to monitor trends, especially in communities that have been disproportionately affected." 

Meanwhile, the Texas Department of State Health Services urges continued awareness and prevention efforts.  

The agency now offers shareable communication resources on monkeypox, which has heavily impacted patients with HIV. The toolkit contains FAQs, brochures, and helpful information to promote patient discussions. Health officials also launched a video campaign to boost uptake of second vaccine doses.   

Last Updated On

December 13, 2022

Originally Published On

December 13, 2022

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Infectious Diseases

Amy Lynn Sorrel

Associate Vice President, Editorial Strategy & Programming
Division of Communications and Marketing

(512) 370-1384
amy.sorrel[at]texmed[dot]org  
Amy Sorrel

Amy Lynn Sorrel has covered health care policy for nearly 20 years. She got her start in Chicago after earning her master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and went on to cover health care as an award-winning writer for the American Medical Association, and as an associate editor and managing editor at TMA. Amy is also passionate about health in general as a cancer survivor, avid athlete, traveler, and cook. She grew up in California and now lives in Austin with her Aggie husband and daughter.

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TMA’s ongoing advocacy has led to meaningful physician workforce gains, and telemedicine technologies and revenue boosters are helping to maximize access to care. But shortages – most entrenched in rural areas and certain specialties – persist as Texas lags in its ratio of patient care physicians and an increasing average physician age foreshadows a deepening workforce crisis. Looking ahead to 2025, TMA is focused on ensuring the Texas Legislature finds new ways to grow and maximize the state’s physician workforce across the many specialties it needs. Plus, how TMA experts help identify medical documentation missteps that may lead to payment and prior authorization denials, and how Texas is grappling with syphilis. 

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