Pharmacies and primary care providers may not know about availability of publicly funded (free) vaccines for these populations. 

 

Arrange immunization services through a local pharmacy. Not all pharmacies provide vaccinations. Sometimes the pharmacies ask why/how the person qualifies, and this can be more difficult and sensitive than having a private conversation with a pharmacist. 

 

Local Public Health units will help navigate publicly funded vaccines. They can do this by phone and help the person navigate with a local pharmacy. 

 

Public Health will not provide immunizations unless a person is medically compromised in some way. Routine childhood immunizations are provided for children/youth up to and including 18 years of age.

• Nanaimo Public Health Unit, call 250-755-3342 (Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) 

• Oceanside Public Health Unit, call 250-947-8242 

• Duncan Public Health Unit, call (250) 709-3050

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HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine:  

• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). 

• While most infections are asymptomatic and cleared by the immune system within two years. Certain high-risk strains can last and lead to cancer of the anus, throat, penis, vagina, vulva, and cervix. 

• Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. Transmission occurs through intimate skin-to-skin contact, most commonly during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

• The vaccine protects against anal cancer, throat cancer, genital warts, and other HPV-related cancers.

 

The vaccine is free for individuals aged 9–26. It is also free for those who self-identify as gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, or transgender women. The vaccine is also free for aged 27–45 years who are not yet sexually active or who are questioning their sexual orientation. 

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Hepatitis A and B Vaccines: 

Hepatitis A and B are both infections of the liver.

 

• Hepatitis A is an acute infection and people usually improve without treatment. 

• Hepatitis A easily spreads by putting something in the mouth (even though it may appear clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. 

• Hepatitis A vaccines are recommended for gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men and transgender women. 

 

• Hepatitis B and can cause a long-term infection, which can lead to chronic liver disease. 

• Hepatitis B is found in certain body fluids. It spreads by intimate contact with blood[CU1]  or body fluid from an infected person. Hepatitis B is spread by having anal or vaginal sex with an infected person without a condom, or through shared needles. 

 

Hepatitis B vaccines are free for anyone born 1980 or later who is not already vaccinated and people with more than one sex partner or a recent history of a sexually transmitted infection. 

 

Mpox Vaccine

Mpox is:

• Infectious and can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. 

• Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.  

• Mpox vaccine reduces the risk of infection when given in two doses and provides approximately 66% to 83% effectiveness in preventing the disease. For those who do become infected, the vaccine is highly effective at reducing the severity of symptoms, minimizing the risk of hospitalization, and protecting against severe outcomes. 

• Available for gay, bisexual, trans, and Two-Spirit individuals who have multiple partners, anonymous sex, or casual sex. 

 

This free vaccine is only available through Public Health Units. 

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COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines

• These are recommended annually.