MPOX

Durham Region Health Department continues to recommend and offer MPOX vaccination for all eligible individuals.

• Receiving two doses of Imvamune® offers the best protection against MPOX.
• The second dose of Imvamune® vaccine should be given at least 28 days after the first dose.
• Residents who are travelling in the near future are also encouraged to get vaccinated before leaving. The vaccine becomes most effective after two weeks.

You are eligible for Imvamune® if you are 18 years and older and are:

1. Two-spirit, non-binary, transgender cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
• Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection within the last year.
• Have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners or are in a relationship where at least one of the partners may have other sexual partners.
• Have attended venues for sexual contact (e.g., bathhouses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings.
• Have had anonymous sex (e.g., using hookup apps recently or may be planning to).
• Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.
  
  
2. Self-identifying as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender.
3. Research laboratory employees working directly with replicating Orthopoxviruses.

Household and/or sexual contacts of those identified for pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility in parts (a) and (b) above AND are moderately to severely immunocompromised or pregnant may be at higher risk for severe illness from MPOX infection. Please contact your health care provider for more information.