Manitoba Health is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine for pre-exposure prophylaxis effective Aug. 29, 2022. Eligibility includes:
-cisgender, transgender or two-spirit people who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community and who meet at least one of the following criteria:
o have received a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the past six months (previously, was a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the past two months);
o have had two or more sexual partners in the last 90 days (previously, was in the past 21 days);
o have had anonymous sex in the past 90 days (e.g. using apps, online sites, formal/informal gatherings) or are planning to (previously, was in the past 21 days);
o have attended locations for sexual contact (e.g. bath houses or sex clubs) or are planning to;
o engaged in sex work or plan to, as a worker or client; or
” any sexual contacts of the individuals described above (new).
Newly eligible individuals will be able to begin booking vaccination appointments on Monday, Aug. 29 at 9 a.m.
Anyone can become infected with monkeypox. However, in Canada and around the world, at this time infections have been primarily reported among people who self-identify as belonging to the gbMSM community.
Manitoba has reported one confirmed case of monkeypox to date.
As of Aug. 21, 436 doses of the vaccine have been administered to eligible people in Manitoba. This information is updated online on Tuesdays, based on information entered in the provincial immunization registry. The registry is routinely updated by health-care providers, but is not intended to provide real-time data.
Appointments are available in communities across the province. Preventive immunization for eligible people can be booked using the online booking tool at https://patient.petal-health.com/login?groupId=6032beginning People who do not have internet access can call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 for assistance booking appointments.
Public health will also be reaching out to eligible populations to support immunization efforts. If appointments in the online system are not easily accessible, individuals can also contact their local public health office to discuss other options.
Individuals who are a close contact to someone with monkeypox continue to be eligible for post-exposure vaccination and should contact their local public health office to make an appointment.
People who need more information about monkeypox or immunizations can contact their local public health office, their health-care provider or Health Links-Info Santé.
Additional information is also available at: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/monkeypox.html
