The Manitoba government is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine.
In a press release Friday, the province noted that the infections have been reported primarily among people who identify as part of the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) communities. The province announced that those people are now eligible for the vaccine if they also meet at least one of the following criteria:
- If they have received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea and/or syphilis in the last two months;
- If they have had two or more sexual partners in the last 21 days;
- If they have attended or plan to attend places of sexual contact;
- If you have had anonymous sex in the last 21 days or plan to do so; or
- If you have performed sex work or plan to do so, either as a worker or as a client.
Eligible Manitobans can book their preventive immunization online starting August 8. It is offered at three Winnipeg locations including Klinic Community Health, Access Winnipeg West and Our Own Health Centre.
The monkeypox vaccine has been available since June in Manitoba for people who may have been exposed to the virus.
So far, there have been no confirmed cases of smallpox in the province.