HAMILTON, UN – Hamilton Public Health Services hosts a pop-up monkey measles vaccination clinic for community members at risk on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at the East End Public Health Clinic (247 Centennial Pkwy N, Unit 8, Hamilton). The clinic is open from 9 am to 11 am and from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm only by prior appointment.
While the risk of Hamiltonians from this infection remains very low and there are no known cases of the monkeypox virus confirmed locally, Hamilton’s public health services work closely with the Ontario Department of Health, Toronto Public Health and other health services. public health in Greater Toronto and the Hamilton area to ensure that proactive action is taken in response to the virus.
Hamilton’s public health services are following federal and provincial guidelines for the use of Imvamune vaccines to protect those most at risk of contracting the monkeypox virus. The clinic is intended for community members aged 18 and over who are transgender or cisgender individuals who self-identify as male and belong to the gay, bisexual, and other male community who have sex with men, as well as at least one of the following:
- Identify yourself as the contact of a person who has recently tested positive for monkeypox.
- You have had two or more sexual partners in the last three weeks (21 days) or you may be planning to.
- They have been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the last two months.
- They have visited bathrooms, sex clubs and other places for sexual contact in the last three weeks (21 days); this includes workers and volunteers.
- You have had anonymous or casual sex in the last three weeks (21 days); for example, after using an online dating app engaged or planning to engage in sex work.
These at-risk populations have been identified based on Ontario Department of Health guidelines.
Make an appointment for a monkey vaccine
Vaccination is by appointment only for risk groups. Individuals can call the 905-974-9848 Public Health Hotline, option 7, to make an appointment.
Vaccination is offered to these populations to protect against the monkeypox virus and can help reduce serious symptoms. Like many other vaccines, it can take up to two weeks for Imvamune to be protected from community outbreaks of serious monkeypox virus outcomes.
To protect the privacy of at-risk community members who visit the pop-up vaccination clinic, we ask the media not to be present at the clinic.
“This clinic is part of our proactive plan to respond to the monkeypox virus and reduce the chances of the virus spreading in our community. I would encourage those members of the community who are at risk to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones from the serious effects of this virus. “- Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer
Quick facts
- Monkeypox was identified in Nigeria in 2017 after more than 40 years with no reported cases. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that is commonly endemic in Central and West Africa. It was first identified in monkeys, but its origin remains unknown.
- Ontario Public Health updated data on monkeypox in Ontario on Tuesday and Friday. As of Tuesday, June 28, there were 67 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ontario.
Add Comment