Vaccinations
About Vaccinations/Immunization
Vaccinations are a key component in maintaining your overall health as well as preventing the spread of infections within our communities. By staying up to date with your vaccinations, you not only protect yourself, but also contribute to the health and well-being of others in your community.
Accessing Vaccines at HIM
At our HIM Health Centres, we offer vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Mpox. These vaccines are crucial in preventing infections that can have significant long-term health impacts. Our nurses are here to guide you through the vaccination process, ensuring you receive the protection you need in a confidential and supportive environment.
GBQ men and gender diverse people who are eligible to receive a vaccine.
For more details about the eligiability for each vaccine, please check the FAQ section below.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Mpox
- HIM on Davie Health Centre
- HIM on the Drive Health Centre
- HIM in Surrey Health Centre
- PLUS! Testing Clinics
Eligibility and requirements vary depending on the vaccine needed – please check the FAQ section below for eligibility information
You can book an appointment at our HIM Health Centres on Davie or on the Drive. You can also walk-in at any of our outreach vaccination clinics (please check our events calendar)
FAQs
Hepatitis A is avaialble for gay, bi, queer men, gender diverse folks or other men who have sex with men. The hepatitis B vaccine is available to all folks.
You must be 26 years old or younger and be gay, bi, queer men, gender diverse folks or other men who have sex with men to qualify for the vaccine under MSP.
Anyone (of any age) can get the HPV vaccine through their Family Doctor and/or their local pharmacy (pay for it out of pocket). Some people older the 27 years and under 45 years of age may qualify to get the HPV vaccine through their private health insurance – please call your health insurance provider and as if they do offer to cover it for you.
Identify as gay, bi, queer men, gender diverse or other men whoi have sex with men, and have one of the following;
- Have had sex with more than one partner.
- Have had sex with a partner who has had more than one partner.
- Have had casual sex (eg Cruising).
- Engage in sex work either as a worker or a client.
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by Hepatovirus A; it is a type of viral hepatitis.The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. The disease is closely associated with unsafe water or food, inadequate sanitation, poor personal hygiene and oral-anal sex.
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The first 6 months of a HBV infection is called an acute infection. If the infection lasts for more than 6 months, it is considered a chronic infection. Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) as it can be transmitted through sexual or blood contact (including household members, sexual partners and drug-use partners).
You can find out more about Hepatitis A, B, and C here.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that may have no symptons or may cause skin or mucous membrane growth (warts). HPV can infect different parts of the body. There are over 100 types of HPV. Some types of HPV are primarily sexually transmitted. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections with many people having an HPV infection at some point of their lives.
You can find out more about HPV here.
Mpox (formerly called monkeypox) is a viral infectious disease caused by the orthopoxvirus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. In British Columbia, mpox cases detected to date are caused by clade 2b, with the primary mode of transmission via close, skin to skin contact with a mpox rash. It primarily affects gay, bi, queer and other men who have sex with men.
You can find out more about Mpox and the Mpox vaccine here.
You can visit a pharmacy to make a vaccine appointment and pay for it out of pocket or your insurance may cover the cost. This applies to Hep A, B and HPV vaccines.
Yes, most vaccines can be accessed through any health centre, or pharmacy. Visit your health region website for locations or call your local pharmacy to see about availability.
