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Province Reminds Eligible Manitobans to Get Second Dose of Mpox Vaccine

Manitoba Health is reminding Manitobans who have received a first preventative dose of the mpox (monkeypox) vaccine that they are eligible to receive a second dose. More than 600 eligible people have had a first dose of the mpox vaccine but have not yet received a second, which is recommended to provide the most protection against the virus.

First and second doses of the vaccine continue to be available for eligible individuals including:

• 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:
• have received a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the past year;
• have had two or more sexual partners in the past 90 days;
• have attended locations for sexual contact (e.g. bath houses or sex clubs) or are planning to;
• have had anonymous sex in the past 90 days (e.g. using apps, online sites, formal/informal gatherings) or are planning to;
• engaged in sex work or plan to, as a worker or client;
• any sexual contact of the individuals described above;
• individuals who self-identify as sex workers, regardless of self-identified sex/gender;
• staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with objects or materials that may be contaminated with the mpox virus without the use of personal protective equipment.

It is recommended eligible Manitobans receive two doses of vaccine at least 28 days apart.

Manitoba has reported one confirmed case of mpox to date. However, there are still current/active cases in some provinces and other countries. Public health recommends eligible individuals consider mpox vaccination as part of travel plans, particularly if going to areas where cases are more common.

Anyone can become infected with mpox. However, in Canada and around the world, infections have been primarily reported among people who self-identify as belonging to the gbMSM community.

The vaccine is available in communities across the province from public health offices and from ACCESS Centres in Winnipeg. Preventive immunization for eligible people can be booked by contacting a local public health office, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.