Toronto will host two monkeypox vaccination clinics this weekend with extended eligibility, as health officials confirm 21 cases in Ontario, with the majority in the GTA.
The two vaccination clinics will be held on June 18 at The 519 (519 Church St.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the Metro Hall (55 John St.) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The clinics are for people over the age of 8 who are transgender or cisgender who identify as male and belong “to the community of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men,” officials say.
To be eligible, these people must also belong to one of the following groups:
- Be in touch with someone who recently tested positive for monkeypox
- Having had two or more sexual partners in the last 21 days
- They have been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis infection for the past 21 months
- Have attended baths, sex clubs and other places of sexual contact during the last 21 days
- Having had anonymous or casual sex for the past 21 days
The first monkeypox vaccination clinic was specifically for Toronto bathroom workers, with the goal of providing protection to those who have had close contact with someone who tested positive or may have a higher risk of ‘be exposed.
On Friday, there were 21 cases of monkeypox in Ontario. Of these infections, 18 were identified in Toronto, while unique cases have been reported in Ottawa, Halton and Middlesex-London.
Provincial officials added that there are 11 probable cases and 25 suspicious cases.
All confirmed infections have been in men aged 20 to 69 years, but 12 of the probable and suspicious cases have been identified in women.
Health officials have said that the monkey’s smallpox is transmitted from person to person through contact with infected lesions, scabs or body fluids. It can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding.
Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and the development of a rash or injury. The rash usually starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
“Most people recover from monkeypox alone without treatment,” officials said in a news release on Friday.
“Vaccination is offered to protect against the smallpox virus and can help reduce severe symptoms. As with most vaccines, the Imvamune vaccine can take up to two weeks for residents to be protected from the serious consequences. related to the monkeypox virus “.