Updated Eligibility Criteria for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for Monkeypox
The Ministry of Health has updated the eligibility criteria for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The following individuals are now eligible to receive Imvamune® vaccine for PrEP:
- Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
- Have received a bacterial STI diagnosis (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past 2 months;
- Have had 2 or more sexual partners recently or may be planning to;
- Have attended venues for sexual contact (i.e., bath houses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings;
- Have had anonymous sex recently (e.g., using hookup apps) or may be planning to;
- Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work. - Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to.
- Household and/or sexual contacts of those identified for PrEP eligibility, as listed above, AND are moderately to severely immunocompromised or pregnant (may be at higher risk for severe illness from a monkeypox infection) may be considered for PrEP.
Most individuals eligible for PrEP receive a single dose of Imvamune® vaccine due to supply constraints. However, moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals are eligible to receive two doses, at least 28 days apart. Please refer your patients meeting this criterion by using the attached referral form. To assist with vaccine counselling and for the definition of moderately to severely immunocompromised, see the Ministry of Health document, Monkeypox Vaccine (Imvamune®) Guidance for Health Care Providers, Version 2.2
Vaccine Bookings and Clinic Access
Individuals meeting the eligibility criteria, can book their first dose of PrEP (Imvamune®) by calling the Public Health Services (PHS) vaccine booking line at 905-974-9848 option 7. For those requiring a 2nd dose of Imvamune®, once the referral form is received, Hamilton PHS will directly call your patient to book a date and time.
Currently, Hamilton has one regularly occurring vaccine clinic by appointment only. This clinic is held at the Mountain Vaccine Clinic located at Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth Street, Hamilton (enter the clinic at entrance 4 on the upper level). Due to limited vaccine supply and stringent storage and handling requirements, walk-in appointments are not currently offered. Hamilton PHS is continuing to work closely with community partners to host additional targeted clinics.
For more information please visit our Public Health Services webpage.