Alberta shifts to allow preventive monkeypox vaccines as some gay men were heading out of province for shots – CBC

B.C., Ont., Que. were already offering targeted preventive vaccinations

Jul 28, 2022

The Alberta government announced on Thursday that it will begin offering the monkeypox vaccine to people who self-identify as meeting the eligibility criteria for targeted prevention prior to an exposure — bringing the province’s policy in line with British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, where some gay and bisexual Alberta men had been travelling in order to receive shots.

Gay and bisexual men and their advocates have told CBC News that they were frustrated by having to travel to other provinces to get vaccinated against monkeypox.

While British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have been offering preventative vaccination campaigns targeted at those considered at high risk of being exposed to the virus, until Thursday’s policy shift, Alberta was only giving the shot to people who have actually been exposed.

But as of July 29, Albertans 18 and older who self-identify as meeting the eligibility criteria for targeted prevention prior to an exposure can get the monkeypox vaccine, Alberta Health said in Thursday’s news release.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/monkypox-vaccination-policy-alberta-gay-1.6531984