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 meet the eligibility criteria below and who are travelling in the near future are encouraged to get vaccinated before leaving; the vaccine becomes most effective after two weeks.
• The risk of infection in Durham Region is low for the general population. Vaccination is not currently recommended or needed if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the vaccine below.

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 as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND who meet one or more of the following:
• Have more than one partner.
• Are in a relationship where at least one of the partners has other sexual partners.
• Have had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection within the last year.
• Have attended venues for sexual contact (e.g., bath houses, sex clubs).
• Have had anonymous sex (e.g., using hookup apps) recently.
2. Sexual partners of individuals who meet the criteria above.
3. Sex workers (regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation) or who are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.
4. Staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with fomites potentially contaminated with mpox.
5. Individuals who engage in sex tourism (regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation).
6. Individuals who anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios.

Household contacts of those identified for pre-exposure vaccination eligibility above AND who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or who are pregnant may be at higher risk for severe illness from mpox infection and may be considered for pre-exposure vaccine. Please contact your health care provider for more information.