Monkeypox Update (07Jul2022)

We are receiving a very high number of inquiries regarding Monkeypox and vaccination clinics at the moment. To help everyone understand the current situation, we have compiled the following information based on recommendations/guidelines and information from Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health. Please note that the information provided here may change at any time and is only based on the most recent information we've received to date.

1. WE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING ANY MONKEYPOX VACCINES. We've been advised by Toronto Public Health there is a limited quantity of vaccines available at the moment (more shipments will arrive but cannot verify quantity) and all vaccines are going directly to local public health units who are responsible for vaccinating the general public. There are no indications given that primary care will take over the vaccination efforts so if you are looking to get vaccinated against Monkeypox, please email your local public health unit.
   
   
2. The current eligibility criteria determined by the Ontario Ministry of Health to receive the Monkeypox vaccine are:

• • Trans- or cis-gender individuals 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 2 months;
    • Have had 2 or more sexual partners within the past 21 days or may be planning to;
    • Have attended venues for sexual contact within the past 21 (e.g., bath houses, sex clubs) or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings;
    • Have had anonymous/casual sex in the past 21 days (e.g., using online dating/ hookup apps) or may be planning to;
    • Engage in sex work or may be planning to, and their sexual contacts.

3. If you suspect that you may have Monkeypox, YOU MUST GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO BE TESTED. The testing for Monkeypox must be done at the hospital as Monkeypox is considered a Category B pathogen. No labs (i.e. Lifelabs, Dynacare, primary care clinic) have the ability to test and transport the specimen. Therefore, if you email our clinic noting any symptoms or contact with Monkeypox, we will only be able to direct you to the emergency room as this is the current protocol put in place by Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Health. 
   
   
4. How does Monkeypox get passed along? 
   The monkeypox virus can be transmitted by respiratory droplets, by touching a lesion or blister, or contaminated surfaces like clothes or bedding. It typically needs prolonged face-to-face or body contact to spread. That means it doesn’t tend to spread very quickly or very far. So far, it seems like the current outbreak is mostly linked to extended skin-to-skin contact, sex, kissing, or very close talking. It seems unlikely based on the current data available that it’s been passed along just by being in the same space as someone else, a handshake or hug, or walking by another person. It is possible to pass on the virus in the days before you have any noticeable symptoms.
   
   
5. What's the treatment for Monkeypox?

• There’s currently no specific treatment or cure for monkeypox in humans, so it mostly runs its course and is dealt with by our immune system. Most treatments are to manage the symptoms.
• If you have a confirmed case of Monkeypox, you need to self-isolate at home until end of the period of communicability (~2-4 weeks until the lesion scabs have fallen off and new intact skin has formed).
• If results are pending (after testing at hospital ER), suspected cases should also be self isolating until confirmation of results.
• When leaving home if absolutely needed (e.g. medical attention), cover all lesions and wear a mask.

 this is a good link for vaccine clinic info