The mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) vaccine will soon be available at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic’s across the province as well as in doctor’s offices.
You can book an appointment starting Monday, May 1.
The vaccine will continue to be offered at some public health offices.
“By offering the vaccine in physician offices and the community pharmacy primary care clinics, we are providing more equitable access to those at highest risk of infection,” said Dr. Jesse Kancir, medical officer of health responsible for mpox. “While we do not have any known cases of mpox in the community, I’m encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
The National Advisory Committe on Immunization recommends Imvamune be used as a preventative, two-dose vaccine for those at high risk, separated by at least 28 days.
The pre-exposure vaccination program is only available to people who:
1. Identify as a cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person who has sexual contact with a cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person and meets at least one of the following criteria:
— two or more sexual partners since May 2022 as defined above, or is planning to
— a diagnosis of a bacterial sexually transmitted infection since May 2022
— attended, worked at or volunteered at an event/social venue for sexual contact, such as a bath house or sex club, since May 2022, or is planning to
— had anonymous sex since May 2022, or is planning to
— engaged as a worker or a client in sex work since May 2022, or is planning to.
Or
2. Have sexual contact with someone who meets the above criteria.
Only residents of Nova Scotia or people living in the province for prolonged periods, such as post-secondary students or people here for work, who meet the eligibility criteria will be offered the vaccine.
Quick Facts:
— mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person, including contact during sexual activity, direct contact with mpox sores (including scabs or sores that are healing), inhaling respiratory droplets (from coughs or sneezes) from an infected person, and contact with contaminated items like bedding or clothing
— mpox symptoms usually develop five to 21 days after exposure to the virus
— mpox typically presents initially with fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain and exhaustion; symptoms can progress one to two days later and may include a rash or sores that usually start on the face, legs or arms and can affect other parts of the body (including hands, feet, mouth and genitals)
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada mpox resource page: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox.html
Information on how to book an appointment at a community pharmacy primary care clinic or public health office is available at: https://novascotia.ca/monkeypox/ . Appointments with physicians can be booked with their offices directly.
