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This 2003 electron microscope image, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows oval-shaped mature monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a human skin sample associated with the outbreak of prairie dogs in 2003. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, file) Associated Press
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The Alberta government is expanding the eligibility criteria for the monkeypox vaccine.
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Starting Thursday, Albertans 18 and older who “self-determine that they meet the eligibility criteria for targeted pre-exposure prevention” can begin booking immunization appointments, government officials said in a news release. Doses will be distributed from the next day.
The news comes the same day the CBC reported that some gay and bisexual men from Alberta have traveled to other provinces to get the shots.
Those eligible in Alberta now include:
• A transgender, cisgender, or two-spirit person who self-identifies as belonging to the gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community, and who meets at least one of the following criteria:
• You have recently (within the last six months) been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection.
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• You are planning to have, or in the past 90 days have had, sex outside of a mutually monogamous relationship.
• Visited sexual settings in the past 90 days (eg bathrooms, sex clubs) or may plan to, or who work/volunteer in these settings
• All sexual contacts of the persons described above
• Staff and volunteers in a social setting or place or event where sexual acts between men (individuals described above) may occur.
“With the increased risk of exposure to monkeypox in some segments of the population, every effort should be made to prevent its spread, including vaccination if eligible,” Health Minister Jason Copping said in the news release.
“Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, sores or rash is reminded to self-isolate and get the necessary care from a healthcare provider.”
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Until now, Alberta only offered the vaccine to close contacts of a confirmed case of monkeypox after exposure.
Due to limited supply, vaccines are only available in Edmonton and Calgary, where all 13 confirmed cases in the province are located. With more vaccine available “in the coming weeks,” it will be expanded to other locations in Alberta, the government said.
As of July 13, Alberta has received 1,200 doses.
“Alberta is working with the federal government to secure more doses of the vaccine. The federal government will release additional doses from the National Strategic Emergency Stockpile (NESS) based on usage,” Health Department spokesman Mark Feldbusch said in an email.
Anyone who is eligible and interested in the monkeypox vaccine should call Health Link at 1-866-301-2668 to make an appointment.
On Twitter, NDP status of women critic Janice Irwin said she’s disappointed the government took so long to act, but glad officials are doing the right thing.
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