Today GLAAD responded to Twitter’s recent addition of a “Know the Facts” HHS info panel for searches on monkeypox. The panel, which surfaces when users search on Monkeypox or MPV, follows GLAAD’s outreach and links to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) information about monkeypox (MPV), a trusted source of accurate information. 

“Twitter’s action will not only help stem the tide of MPV misinformation, but is also a clear example of leadership underscoring that institutions across all of civil society can play roles towards addressing this public health emergency,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Though anyone can contract MPV, it is disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ community, especially men who have sex with men, and it is urgent and critical to get the facts around vaccines, treatment, and prevention widely and equitably distributed.”

Screenshot of Twitter’s information panel on MPV, which appears when users search “monkeypox” or “MPV”.

GLAAD also publicly shared calls for Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to add similar information and resources to searches related to monkeypox:

Ellis continued: “Social media platforms have an opportunity to step up now and be part of the solution, instead of allowing misinformation about MPV and stigmatizing posts about LGBTQ people to run rampant. The window is closing for Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to make good on their commitments to protect LGBTQ users, and everyone, by implementing tools they have used to help curb other public health emergencies.” 

GLAAD previously reached out to Meta, TikTok, and YouTube for actions around MPV. None have yet specifically committed to adding info panels to direct users to accurate information from HHS or other authoritative public health sources. YouTube has said it is elevating circulation of video content from authoritative sources such as the CDC and has funded a series of short videos on Monkeypox with the Kaiser Family Foundation. TikTok has said they are “continuing to look into potential solutions.” 

Last month, GLAAD’s annual Social Media Safety Index gave Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube failing scores on LGBTQ safety, privacy, and expression on the platforms. No platform earned a score of 50 or above out of a possible score of 100.

More on MPV

Last week, the White House National Monkeypox Response team and HHS announced a strategy to expand access to MPV vaccines, through an alternate dosing regimen allowing healthcare providers to administer up to five times the number of doses per vial of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

The program, announced via an Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization, allows the JYNNEOS vaccine to be delivered intradermally, which requires a smaller dose, while ensuring the vaccine continues to meet standards for safety and quality. FDA and HSS stressed that the data and science support the new dosing regimen to be as effective as the one-dose, subcutaneous injection, while also dramatically expanding the number of doses to more of the vulnerable population. The new dosing regimen is also applicable to immunocompromised people, including people living with HIV.

The FDA also announced it is authorizing use of the MPV vaccine, using standard dosing, in people younger than 18 years old who are at high risk of MPV infection.

GLAAD’s fact sheet for media covering the MPV outbreak and response: http://glaad.org/MPVfacts  

GLAAD recently announced a collaboration with Gilead Sciences, as well as LGBTQ and public health organizations the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) in response to the MPV outbreak. Gilead has pledged up to $5 million in global grant funding to support a public education and vaccine hesitancy communications campaign, a public policy response, and a global outbreak emergency fund.