Introduction of monkeypox vaccine suspended, province silent on cause

Just hours after its introduction, the province’s monkeypox vaccine dates were put on hold with no explanation, leaving some at-risk Manitobans wondering when they will be vaccinated.

The provincial government had no responses Tuesday to explain why appointments are no longer available, less than a day after expanding eligibility to receive the Imvamune vaccine.

A provincial spokesman said only that more information is expected later this week. It’s unclear whether the sudden curtailment of rollout is due to limited vaccine supplies, a lack of staff to administer it, or something else.

When asked how many appointments were booked or how many cans were available, the country did not answer. On Monday afternoon, the provincial government released a tweet noting that all available vaccination spots were already booked.

“We expect to have more available soon and an update will be shared at that time,” the tweet said. The province announced Friday that eligibility will be expanded to men who have sex with men and meet certain other criteria starting Monday. Gay and bisexual men are at highest risk of contracting monkeypox, although no cases have been confirmed in Manitoba.

Will Franklin doesn’t use Twitter, so the Winnipegger was surprised when he tried to book his 7am Tuesday appointment online, hoping to avoid the first-day rush, and was told none of the three clinics were available were offer it. Franklin thought it was a glitch and called Health Links.

He spoke to someone who could not give him any information about the offer, staffing levels or further dates. He asked if he could be notified when times became available and was told that was not possible. Instead, he was advised to check the site every 30 minutes.

DELIVERED

Will Franklin attempted to book an appointment for a monkeypox vaccination first thing Tuesday morning, only to be told that no more appointments were available.

“>

“It was very frustrating,” Franklin said, adding he wonders why the province announced expanded eligibility when dates are so limited. The online process was tedious to check availability at all three clinics, he said. Booking opened Monday morning for appointments at Community Health Clinic, Access Winnipeg West and our own health center.

“I don’t think it’s set up right, but we just want to try and get the vaccine as soon as possible.”

As someone involved in HIV/AIDS advocacy in the 1980s, Franklin said getting the vaccine as early as possible was especially important to him. At the time, he was offered a hepatitis B vaccine before it was widely available, but took a pass.

“I thought I’m a healthy guy, you know, I don’t need that. And that’s where I ended up with Hep B and laying flat on my back for six weeks,” he said. “So I said, ‘OK, they’re offering this, why shouldn’t I have it and then not have to go through it when (monkeypox) is more common in the community here?’

“I thought I’m a healthy guy, you know, I don’t need that. And that’s where I ended up on Hep B and lay flat on my back for six weeks.” – Will Franklin

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Tuesday a health center had told his office the Winnipeg area had only about 140 doses allocated. He called on the government to implement a “well-oiled” vaccine and paid sick leave campaign that puts the lessons of COVID-19 into action before monkeypox spreads here.

“We now have a window of opportunity to act. If there isn’t enough vaccine, they need to let people know about that too, but public health and the PC government need to communicate with people about how to prevent that,” Lamont said.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Tuesday a health center had told his office the Winnipeg area had only about 140 doses allocated

Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct physical contact and can cause skin rashes and flu-like symptoms. Canadian public health advice on avoidance includes avoiding close contact – including sex – with people who may have been exposed, maintaining good hygiene and staying home if they are sick.

The outbreak of monkeypox has been declared a global health threat by the World Health Organization. More than 950 cases have been recorded in Canada, including two cases in Saskatchewan in July and several hundred in Ontario.

Manitoba received a shipment of the vaccine in June, but eligibility was limited to people exposed to the virus. The province has repeatedly declined to answer questions about its care, instead repeating its message that more information is coming soon.

[email protected]