News & Updates

Vancouver, BC – HIM would like to acknowledge the announcement made by the WHO (World Health Organization) declaring mpox (monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and would like to remind our community that the situation in British Columbia remains unchanged by this announcement.   

The current situation in Africa has raised global concerns, including issues of health equity. The variant of the virus that is being referred to in this PHEIC is different than the one that was found in the 2022 outbreak in BC. The variant being referred to in the current PHEIC is mainly spreading in Central and East Africa, including countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. The WHO has declared mpox a global health emergency due to the rapid spread and increased case counts in these regions, where access to the mpox vaccine was limited throughout the outbreak.    

At HIM, we have been working closely with Vancouver Coastal Health and all regional health authorities to ensure that our community has access to the mpox vaccine. Collectively, we have set up pop-up vaccination clinics in key areas like Davie Village, Wreck Beach, and during pride events, making it convenient for those eligible to get vaccinated. These efforts are crucial in keeping our community safe.  

The results of our vaccination campaign have been promising. Since the summer of 2022, the number of mpox cases in British Columbia has decreased significantly. While there are still a few active cases in the province, the risk of exposure remains low.  

The proactive measures taken by our governments, local health authorities and community organizations have significantly reduced the risk locally. The combination of community action, vaccination campaigns, public health monitoring, and community support ensures that the affected communities in Vancouver and across BC remain well-protected from mpox.    

HIM will continue our collaboration with the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) as well as the province’s health authorities to ensure health promotion messaging remains relevant and community informed providing up-to-date information and resources to help prevent the spread of the virus. For more information or to find a vaccination clinic near you, please visit checkhimout.ca/mpox/vaccination 

Health Initiative for Men (HIM) has been selected as the recipient of a generous $10,000 donation from 100 Gay Men for a Cause, a locally organized network of gay men dedicated to supporting charitable causes in the community.

100 Gay Men for a Cause operates on a unique model where members gather quarterly to listen to pitches from local charities and vote on which organization will receive the funds. The charity with the highest number of votes receives $10,000, while the two runners-up receive $2,500 each.

HIM was deeply honored to receive the top donation, which will be dedicated to the expansion of the HIM on Davie Health Centre. The funds will be used to set up a new clinic space, complete with four examination rooms. This expansion aims to reduce turn-aways and enable HIM to serve a greater number of community members each year.

“We are incredibly grateful to 100 Gay Men for a Cause for their generous donation,” said Aaron Purdie, Executive Director at HIM. “This funding will make a significant impact on our ability to provide essential health services to the GBQ men and gender diverse communities in Vancouver.”

HIM on Davie Health Centre provides a range of health services, including sexual health testing, counseling, and community support programs. The expansion of the clinic space will allow HIM to enhance its capacity and reach more individuals in need of care and support, in a safe and supportive environment.

The donation from 100 Gay Men for a Cause underscores the importance of community support in advancing health initiatives and addressing the needs of marginalized populations. HIM looks forward to utilizing the funds to expand its services and make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the GBQ men and gender diverse communities in Vancouver.

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The Two Other Charities:
HIM was honoured to pitch alongside two important communities organizations who also deserve community support:

The mpox vaccine is given as a two-dose vaccine. Get vaccinated in time for summer.

BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), British Columbia’s (B.C.) regional health authorities, and partners like Health Initiative for Men (HIM) are reminding people who are eligible for the mpox (monkeypox) vaccine to get vaccinated now, ahead of Pride season and summer activities, including travel. 

While the 2022 mpox outbreak has been declared over, there is potential for new cases in B.C. The virus has the potential to be reintroduced locally at large gatherings like Pride events or could be acquired while travelling. Since 2022, there have been 199 confirmed cases of mpox in B.C.

Imvamune® vaccine is available to British Columbians at the highest risk of contracting mpox. It is given as a two-dose vaccine. To date, more than 27,500 vaccine doses have been administered, most as first doses. Vaccination has been successful in controlling the outbreak of mpox and bringing case numbers down. 

“We had an excellent response to the vaccine campaign last summer, and we saw a dramatic decrease in the number of mpox cases,” said Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). “However, most people only received a single dose, and we’d really like everyone to complete their series with a second dose of Imvamune for stronger, longer-lasting protection.”

To help promote vaccination, Health Initiative for Men has launched a new campaign to promote vaccination. It Takes 2 reinforces the message that a complete vaccine series requires two doses. People who have not yet been vaccinated for mpox and those who only received their first dose are at higher risk of getting mpox if exposed. The campaign is appearing on transit, dating apps and social media.

“Estimates of vaccine effectiveness vary but two doses provide about 90 per cent protection against mpox,” says Dr. Monika Naus, Medical Director of Immunization Programs and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Service for the BCCDC. “If you have only had a single dose, you should get your second dose for optimal protection.”

No vaccine is 100 per cent effective and even if you have been vaccinated, you can develop symptoms. People who have been vaccinated are less likely to experience severe symptoms. 

“While vaccination has been very successful in reducing cases in B.C., it is still possible to be exposed to the virus locally or while travelling,” says Dr. Mayank Singal, Physician Epidemiologist with BCCDC’s Public Health Response team. “If you have been exposed to mpox and develop symptoms, seek medical attention so you can be tested as soon as possible.”

Vaccination eligibility

Two-Spirit and transgender people and cisgender males who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community and at least one of the following:

• Has sex with more than one partner,
• Has sex with a partner who has more than one partner,
• Has casual sex (e.g. cruising),
• Engages in sex work as a worker or client.

Find appointments

Appointments are available at select pharmacies and community clinics:

• Vancouver Coastal Health
• Fraser Health
• Interior Health
• Island Health
• Northern Health

People who have received two doses or who had an mpox infection do not require another vaccine. Booster doses may be required in the future should mpox transmission continue into 2024.

Learn more

• bccdc.ca/mpox
• checkhimout.ca/mpox/vaccination 

The BC Centre for Disease Control, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides public health leadership through surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention and consultation services. The Centre provides diagnostic and treatment services for people with diseases of public health importance, and analytical and policy support to all levels of government and health authorities. The BCCDC also provides health promotion and prevention services to reduce the burden of chronic disease, preventable injury and environmental health risks. For more, visit www.bccdc.ca or follow us on Twitter @CDCofBC.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC. 

Health Initiative for Men (HIM) is a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC. HIM offers a full spectrum of health-based programming and services to meet the sexual, mental, physical and social health needs of communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC. Visit checkhimout.ca/mpox for more information