The province is making the monkeypox vaccine available to more people in the province.
Until now, supply of the vaccine Imvamune—the same used to treat smallpox—has been limited to just 150 doses.
But that will soon be doubled, giving the province more leeway to expand availability to more people in high-risk categories.
The rollout will start this coming Monday, but Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says people will have to meet certain criteria.
Fitzgerald says that includes people who have had sex with two or more partners in the last 90 days, or are planning to do so, have been diagnosed with an STD in the last six months, and have attended, worked or volunteered in other venues with sexual contact in the last 90 days, whether that’s inside or outside the province.
Fitzgerald credited high risk groups and sex workers for being proactive in seeking out the vaccine to prevent the spread of monkeypox.
She noted while it has affected the gay community disproportionately, anyone can contract the virus.
There remains just two probable, unconfirmed cases in the province but Fitzgerald says it’s likely more cases will surface due to travel.
More information on monkeypox and receiving the vaccine is available on the government’s website or by calling 811.