The Manitoba government has opened additional monkeypox vaccination appointments as the province’s chief medical officer encouraged members of at-risk communities to reduce their chances of exposure.
While no cases of the disease have been confirmed in Manitoba so far, the province’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Rusin, said Thursday that people should take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of monkeypox.
“Consider limiting the number of people you have close skin-to-skin contact with, and that may include limiting the number of sexual partners you can have,” Rusin said.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
In a screenshot from the video call with the news conference, Dr. Brent Rusin, the province’s chief public health officer, provides an update on monkeypox vaccination in the province.
The doctor also recommends that people avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who are showing symptoms; maintain good hand hygiene; regularly clean frequently touched objects; refrain from sharing personal items; and avoid touching the bedding or laundry of someone who is suspected of having or has been diagnosed with monkeypox.
After monkeypox vaccine appointments were made earlier this week, people who are eligible for immunization can now re-schedule online at several locations across the province, the province announced Thursday.
People without Internet access can call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257 to make an appointment or contact their local public health office.
Vaccination is offered to people who identify as gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and meet one of the following criteria:
• You have received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea and/or syphilis in the last two months;
• You have had two or more sexual partners in the last 21 days;
• You have visited places of sexual contact or plan to do so;
• You have had anonymous sex in the last 21 days or plan to do so;
• Either engage in sex work or plan to engage in sex work as a worker or client.
People who are in close contact with someone with monkeypox are also eligible for post-exposure vaccination and should contact their local public health office to schedule vaccination.
Rusin said the vaccines are available in all health regions, although supplies are limited and reserved for those who would benefit most from immunization. The province is also working with partners and community organizations to promote vaccination.
“That enrollment availability will continue to be based on the demand for immunizations from that eligible population, which we monitor quite closely,” he said.
“We have a scarce vaccine resource, so we need to make that resource available to those who we see are at greatest risk of transmission.”
The province will likely start counting the number of doses provided on a weekly basis starting next week, Rusin said.
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