Province

Toronto Public Health prepared for provincial expansion to monkeypox vaccine eligibility

Arshad Khan

Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to offer vaccinations to curb the spread of monkeypox in alignment with federal and provincial guidance on the administration of Imvamune vaccines. On Wednesday, August 24, the Province of Ontario released new guidance PDF that expanded the eligible population for monkeypox pre-exposure vaccination. Beginning Friday, August 26, TPH will begin to immunize the expanded eligible population.

The new provincial guidance document outlines the use of one dose of pre-exposure monkeypox vaccine for the following populations:

  • Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
    • Have received a diagnosis of bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past two months
    • Have had two or more sexual partners recently or may be planning to
    • Have attended venues for sexual contact (i.e., bath houses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings
    • Have had anonymous sex (e.g., using hookup apps) recently or may be planning to
    • Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work
  • Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to

Household members or sexual partners of individuals who meet the above criteria who are either moderately to severely immunocompromised or who are pregnant may receive the pre-exposure Monkeypox vaccine following a conversation with their health care provider.

The new provincial guidance also includes expanded eligibility for two doses of pre-exposure Monkeypox vaccine for the following populations:

  • Research laboratory employees
  • Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals

Individuals who meet this expanded second dose criteria will be asked for a referral form from their physician PDF or a copy of their prescription or to present their medications.

TPH continues to work closely with community partners to host vaccination clinics to protect those most at risk of contracting the monkeypox virus.

Over the next week, TPH will be offering at least 17 vaccination opportunities to protect residents and help curb virus spread. These clinics include:

  • Wednesday, August 24
    • 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., noon to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 25
    • Metro Hall, 214 Wellington St. W., Main Floor, noon to 6 p.m.
    • Cloverdale, 250 The East Mall, noon to 6 p.m.
    • 1940 Eglinton, 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., noon to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, August 26
    • Cloverdale, 250 The East Mall, noon to 6 p.m.
    • 1940 Eglinton, 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., noon to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 27
    • The 519, 519 Church St., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Cloverdale, 250 The East Mall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, August 28
    • Metro Hall, 214 Wellington St. W, Main Floor, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 30
    • Metro Hall, 214 Wellington St. W., Main Floor, noon to 6 p.m.
    • Cloverdale, 250 The East Mall, noon to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, August 31
    • The 519, 519 Church St., 2 to 6:30 p.m.
    • Metro Hall, 214 Wellington St. W., Main Floor, noon to 6 p.m.
    • Cloverdale, 250 The East Mall, noon to 6 p.m.
    • 1940 Eglinton Ave. E., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The full list of public walk-in clinics for people meeting the provincial guidelines is available on the City of Toronto’s monkeypox webpage.

At this time, people who have a known exposure or close contact with someone with monkeypox can get the vaccine as a post-exposure prophylactic (PEP), even if they would not be eligible for pre-exposure prophylactic (PrEP). Monkeypox spreads person-to-person through contact with infected lesions, skin scabs, body fluids or respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by contact with materials contaminated with the virus (e.g., clothing, bedding). It can also be spread through bites or scratches from infected animals.

Anyone can get monkeypox, but during this outbreak, in a number of countries, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men have been most affected.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes followed by the development of a rash or lesions over a person’s body. A rash or lesion will often appears within a few days after symptoms begin on the body. In some cases, the rash can appear before other symptoms. Most people recover from monkeypox on their own without treatment. Vaccination is being offered to protect against the monkeypox virus and can help reduce serious symptoms. Like most vaccines, the Imvamune vaccine can take up to two weeks for residents to be fully protected from the serious consequences linked to the monkeypox virus.

TPH is asking residents who have these signs and symptoms to report them to their health care provider as soon as possible. Close contacts of people suspected or confirmed to have a monkeypox infection are advised to self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure. If symptoms develop, they should self-isolate, seek care and get tested. Health care providers are reminded that individuals suspected of monkeypox infection must be reported to Public Health Ontario.

As with many other diseases spread through close contact, people can lower their risk by maintaining physical distance, frequent hand washing, and respiratory hygiene, including masking. Common household disinfectants can kill the monkeypox virus.

TPH continues to follow up with anyone thought to be exposed to monkeypox. TPH also continues to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Health. TPH has communicated with local physicians to provide information on symptoms, laboratory testing and diagnosis, infection control precautions, treatment and reporting requirements for monkeypox.

More information about monkeypox is available on the City’s monkeypox webpage.

Residents can also find information about monkeypox on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website Opens in new window, or through Toronto Public Health’s Health Connections online or by calling 416-338-7600.

Additional information is also available on the GMSH website Opens in new window.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses.

Related Articles

Back to top button