PrEP – Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
About PrEP
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention strategy we can use if we are HIV-negative. It usually involves taking a pill every day to prevent ourselves from getting HIV. If we are exposed to HIV, the medication in PrEP stops HIV from multiplying and establishing itself in the body and therefore prevents HIV. PrEP prevents HIV, but does not prevent any other STIs.
Accessing PrEP at HIM
For those of us who are able to get PrEP covered, a doctor or nurse practitioner needs to prescribe PrEP and enroll you in this public program. It also requires some minor (but important) regular follow-up. If you are currently not on PrEP with HIM, either not on PrEP or through another provider, please visit HIM on Davie or HIM on the Drive during clinic walk-in hours to speak with a HIM nurse about onboarding to access PrEP with HIM. If you are already accessing PrEP through HIM and have questions or concerns, please call the PrEP medical office assistant at 604-675-2767.
Eligible GBQ men and gender diverse people covered by MSP, Refugees, and First Nations Status people.
- Eligibility check;
- Onboarding;
- Prescribing PrEP;
- Providing laboratory requisitions; and
- Follow-up
- HIM on Davie Health Centre
- HIM on the Drive Health Centre
- Either MSP coverage, refugee, or First Nations Status
- Identification
- Eligibility (NP will help you assess your eligiability)
You can book an appointment at our HIM Health Centres on Davie or on the Drive.
FAQs
The PrEP program at HIM is carried out through the work and support of the STOP HIV Outreach Team at Vancouver Coastal Health. Therefore, PrEP related services at HIM are limited to our Health Centres in Vancouver.
HIM works collaboratively with other Health Authorities across BC to support their specific efforts to increase access to PrEP, which can vary from one partner to another depending on their local strategies and context.
PrEP is made available through the Provincial Government and therefore clients would need to have a BC personal health number (or have refugee or First Nations status) in order to be enrolled into the program.
Alternatively, those of us who have private coverage or have the means to pay for it out-of-pocket can access PrEP through their family doctor.
If you have stopped using PrEP or were accessing it elsewhere and want to restart PrEP you would have to start by seeing a HIM nurse for a new assessment.
Yes, you can still get PrEP but will have to pay out of pocket or through your insurance, you can ask your doctor or other PrEP providers including Go Freddie for more information.
No, HIM is unable to perform all the required tests for your PrEP appointment. Life labs will process your PrEP requisition.
Check your email including your junk folders as the requisitions are usually emailed to the email account on file. If you don’t find it, please call the HIM PrEP phone line 604-675-2767, ask the PrEP medical office assistant to resend your PrEP requestion. If you don’t reach a person, please leave a detailed voicemail with your name, phone number, that you and life labs do not have your PrEP requisition and confirm the email account you have on file.
- If you are a post-secondary student, you can ask your student health services for PrEP.
- Some walk-in clinics and community health services may provide access to PREP. BCCDC’s STI clinic also provides PrEP.
- If you are under 25 years of age you can ask your local youth clinic about PrEP.
Call 604-675-2767 and let the PrEP medical office assistant know and they will help you. If you don’t reach a person, please leave a detailed voicemail with your name, phone number, and that the pharmacy doesn’t have your PrEP prescription and they will return your call, although it may not be immediate.
