Hat now operating monkeypox vaxx clinic

Medicine Hat is one of nine cities province-wide now operating a monkeypox vaccination clinic, Alberta Health Services announced Wednesday.

The first of the province’s monkeypox vaccination clinics opened June 7 in Calgary and Edmonton, but were only providing vaccinations to Albertans determined to have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.

On July 29, eligibility criteria expanded to include individuals deemed “higher risk” for exposure to the virus prior to exposure. At the time, eligible individuals living outside Calgary or Edmonton had to travel to the cities’ vaccination clinics to receive such, though Alberta’s Chief Medical Office of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, promised the future establishment of additional clinics throughout the province.

Following Wednesday’s announcement, monkeypox vaccination clinics are now operating — by appointment only — in; Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and St. Paul.

Despite wide-spread clinic availability in all provincial health zones, the monkeypox vaccination criteria remains limited.

Currently eligible individuals include only;

— Individuals 18 years of age or older who identify as members of the queer community and have; in the past six months, been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection; in the past 90 day, been sexually active or are planning to be sexually active outside of a mutually monogamous relationship; or, in the past 90 days, attended or are planning to attend a social venue(s) where sexual contact takes place.

— Sexual partners of the above individuals.

— Individuals who work at social venues where sexual contact takes place.

Low vaccine stockpiles are cited as a motivator for the restrictive criteria, as provincial health officials have determined current eligible individuals to have an “elevated risk of contracting the monkeypox virus.”

“Monkeypox is predominantly transmitted through close physical skin-to-skin contact, which is why it can be spread to sexual partners,” Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said in a June 7 tweet. “While monkeypox is not an STI, the majority of global cases to-date have been among men who have reported intimate relations with other men.”

While Hinshaw did say in a following tweet the spread of monkeypox is not “limited to one community” and “it is important to not stigmatize any group,” some medical professionals have chimed in with follow up clarification.

“Transmission of monkeypox is not based on a person’s sexual orientation, identity, gender or race; rather close, personal, prolonged – usually intimate – contact, ” Dr. Kristopher Wells, associate professor at MacEwan University and Canada Research Chair for the Public Understanding of

Sexual and Gender Minority and Youth, said in a response tweet. “Monkeypox is not a ‘gay disease.’ Monkeypox is not an STI. Anyone can get Monkeypox.”

Health officials also point out that monkeypox is not the same virus as smallpox, despite the same vaccination — Imvamune — used in the prevention of both viruses.

As of Wednesday, Canada is reporting 1,008 confirmed cases of monkeypox, 16 of which have been reported in Alberta.

Provincial health officials continue to assure Albertans the risk for contracting the virus is low, but encourage anyone matching current vaccination eligibility criteria to book an immunization appointment at one of the province’s nine clinics.

Appointments are required and can be booked by calling Health Link at 1-866-3012668.