While supplies are currently limited due to global shortages, Island Health said it will offer monkeypox vaccinations on Tuesday and Wednesday this week in Victoria for those considered high risk.
Appointments are available July 19 and 20, and health officials plan to expand the vaccination program to central and northern Vancouver Island next week.
The first case of monkeypox on Vancouver Island was confirmed on July 7. The affected individual lives on southern Vancouver Island.
The health authority said the risk to the general public was very low and reiterated that monkeypox does not usually spread easily between people.
While most, but not all, recent global infections have been among men who identify as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men, the virus can affect anyone through close person-to-person contact.
Vaccinations are provided to high-risk contacts identified through contact tracing.
Symptoms of monkeypox usually appear one to two weeks after exposure, but may take five to 21 days to appear.
The disease can occur in two stages, with flu-like symptoms first followed by a rash, usually with sores/blisters. However, many people only get the rash.
People are considered infectious from the time symptoms first appear until the sores are covered, dry, and new skin is visible.
Island Health said most people with monkeypox have mild symptoms and do not need specific interventions.
Those who wish to receive a vaccine can book online.
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