Media Bulletin - Manitoba

August 5, 2022

After working with the federal government to secure additional doses, Manitoba Health is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine so people who may be at higher risk of being exposed can be immunized as a preventative measure.

The vaccine has been available in Manitoba since June for people who may have been exposed to monkeypox. To date, no confirmed cases of monkeypox have been detected in Manitoba.

Anyone can become infected with monkeypox. However, in Canada and around the world, at this time infections have been primarily reported among people who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community. These individuals are now eligible for a preventative vaccination if they also meet at least one of these criteria:

• have received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and or syphilis in the past two months;
• have had two or more sexual partners in the last 21 days;
• have attended locations for sexual contact (e.g. bathhouses or sex clubs) or are planning to;
• have had anonymous sex in the past 21 days or are planning to; or
• engage in sex work or plan to, either as a worker or a client.

Preventive immunization for eligible people can be booked at three locations in Winnipeg using the online booking tool at https://patient.petal-health.com/login?groupId=6032 beginning Monday, Aug. 8:

• Klinic Community Health, 167 Sherbrook St.,
• Access Winnipeg West, 280 Booth Dr., and
• Our Own Health Centre, 230 Osborne St.

People who do not have internet access can call Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or  (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 to book an appointment. Individuals outside of Winnipeg should contact their local public health office (www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/offices.html) to schedule an immunization. Public health will also be reaching out to eligible populations to support immunization efforts.

Individuals who are a close contact with someone with monkeypox will continue to be eligible for post-exposure vaccination. They should contact their local public health office to schedule their vaccination.

People who need more information about monkeypox or immunizations can contact their local public health office, their health-care provider or Health Links-Info Santé. Additional information is also available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/monkeypox.html.