Alberta expands eligibility for monkeypox vaccine

Eligible Albertans over the age of 18 can get the moneypox vaccine Imvamune starting Thursday, as long as they haven’t been infected.

The province says vaccine supply is limited at this time, however, appointments can be booked right away, and shots will be given out starting on Friday.

The vaccine is available in Edmonton and Calgary where all confirmed cases of the virus are located. More people across the province will be able to access the shot as vaccine supply becomes more available.

“With the elevated risk of contracting the monkeypox virus in some segments of the population, every effort should be made to prevent it from spreading, including getting vaccinated if eligible,” said Jason Copping, Alberta Minister of Health.

“Anyone experiencing symptoms, such as fever, swollen glands, sores or a rash, is reminded to self-isolate and get the necessary care from a health-care provider.”

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Those eligible for the vaccine include transgender, cisgender, and two-spirit people who self-identify as gay or bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The province adds eligible Albertans should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Have received a recent (in the last six months) diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection.
• Are planning to have, or in the past 90 days had, sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship.
• Have attended venues for sexual contact within the past 90 days (e.g., bath houses, sex clubs) or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings.

“Although anyone can catch the monkeypox virus through close physical contact, during the current outbreak, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men have been impacted the most, especially those with new or multiple sexual partners,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of Alberta.

“Those eligible for the monkeypox vaccine should consider getting a dose and at the same time take other recommended measures to reduce the risk of exposure.”

Anyone eligible for the monkeypox vaccine and wants to make an appointment can call Health Link at 1-866-301-2668.

For more information on monkeypox, visit the province’s website.