Vancouver health authorities urging mpox vaccinations ahead of Pride
Posted June 29, 2023 1:03 pm.
Last Updated June 29, 2023 1:04 pm.
It’s been a year since an outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was declared worldwide, but health officials in Metro Vancouver are still urging people to keep up on their vaccines against the virus.
According to the BC Centres for Disease Control (BCCDC), there have been 199 confirmed cases of mpox in B.C. since 2022.
It Takes 2: New campaign reminds eligible people to get a second dose of mpox vaccine ahead of Pride events https://t.co/kyBIBAu4iJ@HIMtweets @VCHhealthcare @VanIslandHealth @Fraserhealth @Northern_Health @Interior_Health pic.twitter.com/ILCQVZxdsH
— BC Centre for Disease Control (@CDCofBC) June 29, 2023
Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Vancouver Coastal Health’s deputy chief medical health officer, says this year’s vaccination campaign hopes to motivate people to get a second dose of the mpox vaccine.
“The campaign that was run last year did work and the outbreak was resolved, but we have seen some occasional travel-related cases,” he told CityNews.
The health authority is urging men who have sex with men, including two-spirit people, trans men, and men who self-identify as gay or bisexual to receive the shot.
Lyshyshyn says with Vancouver Pride coming up in just over a month, plus other large events that have already taken place during Pride Month, now is the time to get full protection.
“To protect the community, we think the best thing we can do is have a second dose at this time,” he said. “We just don’t know what’s going to happen over the summer as people travel to Pride festivals and things like that.”
The doctor points out that 15,000 people received a dose of the Mpox vaccine during last year’s campaign, but only a third of those have received a second shot. Those with only one shot are at higher risk of contracting the virus, according to the BCCDC.
Appointments to receive an mpox vaccine can be made at select pharmacies in all five health authorities in B.C. You can find more information here.
-With files from Martin MacMahon
