Vancouver rolling out pop-up monkeypox vaccine clinics during Pride events

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is rolling out a focused monkeypox vaccine initiative this week in collaboration with Pride events.

Pop-up vaccination sites will appear around Metro Vancouver, the Davie St. Village, as well at specific Pride locations all weekend.

The following pop-up vaccine clinic dates are being offered:

• Alternative Pride Wristband Pick up – July 28 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Menagery Pride Party at the Harbour Centre – July 29 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on July 30
• Street Party at Red Truck Brewing – July 30 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Sunset Beach – July 31 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Related links:

• Vancouver monkeypox vaccine clinics held ahead of Pride celebrations

• Africa’s alone in monkeypox deaths but has no vaccine doses

As of July 27, the BC Centre for Disease Control reported 58 cases of monkeypox in the province, which so far has mostly affected the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

VCH is reminding people that, “stigmatizing people is never okay” and that the virus can affect all people.

“Anyone can get monkeypox, regardless of their sexuality.”

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Meanwhile, VCH Medical Health Officer Dr. Mark Lysyshyn has previously urged anyone who has symptoms to see a health official right away.

“People who are affected by monkeypox — people who might have fever or new skin rashes — they really need to get that checked out by their family doctor and avoid contact with others until they figure out what’s going on,” he explained.

Anyone who can’t make the pop-up clinics can also book a vaccine online through the VCH website.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar