Toronto Public Health adds immunization appointments and locations as eligibility for second dose monkeypox vaccine expands

Eligible individuals who received a first dose of the Imvamune vaccine may now receive a second dose 28 days after their first dose. More information is available on the Ministry of Health’s website. (Pexels photo)

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has added approximately 25,000 appointments for monkeypox immunization and doubled the number of clinics offering the vaccine from today until Friday, October 31, following the expansion of second-dose eligibility by the provincial government.

Eligible individuals who received a first dose of the Imvamune vaccine may now receive a second dose 28 days after their first dose. More information is available on the Ministry of Health’s website .

TPH continues to follow federal and provincial guidance on administering of Imvamune vaccines to protect at-risk populations against the monkeypox virus. Appointments are available for clients who meet the following criteria:

a) Two-spirit, non-binary, transgender, cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify or have partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community and at least one of the following: Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection (STI) within the last year.

• Have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners or are in a
• relationship where at least one of the partners has other sexual partners.
• Have attended venues for sexual contact (e.g. bathhouses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings.
• Have had anonymous sex (e.g. using hook-up apps) or may be planning to
• Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.

b) Individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender.

c) Household and/or sexual contacts of people who are eligible for Pre-Exposure Vaccination listed in parts (a) or (b) above and who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) or are pregnant. These individuals may be at risk for severe illness from a monkeypox infection and may be considered for Pre-Exposure Vaccination, and should contact a healthcare provider or Toronto Public Health for more information.

d) Research laboratory employees working directly with replicating orthopoxviruses. This completed form  must be provided.

Appointments are required for eligible individuals to get vaccinated and can be booked online using the TPH Appointment Booking System.  Health card and identification are not required to receive a monkeypox vaccine or to book an appointment at a City-run immunization clinic.

Starting today, six City of Toronto-run immunization clinics are administering the Imvamune vaccine:

• Metro Hall: 214 Wellington St. W., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Crossroads Plaza: 2625 Weston Rd., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thorncliffe Park Community Hub: 45 Overlea Blvd., Mondays to Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 1 Eglington Square: Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cloverdale Mall: 250 the East Mall, Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mitchell Field Community Centre: 89 Church Ave. Tuesdays to Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monkeypox spreads from person to person through contact with infected lesions, skin blisters, body fluids or respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by contact with materials contaminated with the virus (e.g. clothing, bedding) and through bites or scratches from infected animals.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash or blisters on the skin. 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 those vaccinated to be fully protected.

TPH asks residents with monkeypox symptoms to self-isolate immediately and contact a healthcare provider. People who have been in contact with a person who has monkeypox should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, they should self-isolate, seek care and get tested. Healthcare providers are reminded that suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox must be reported to TPH. As with many other diseases spread through close contact, people can lower their risk by reducing the number of close contacts, cleaning their hands frequently and wearing a mask when possible. Common household disinfectants can kill the monkeypox virus on surfaces.

Public Health Ontario updates monkeypox data for Ontario twice monthly. As of October 4, there was 496 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in Toronto, with eight probable cases currently under investigation. More information is available on the Public Health Ontario website .

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 is available on the City’s monkeypox webpage.

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

Additional information is available on the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance website .

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