Monkeypox vaccine available in Sudbury for qualified individuals

A public health advisory alert issued this week revealed that a vaccine for monkeypox is now available from Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).

The alert was sent out to "Local Health System Partners" in the Sudbury jurisdiction by PHSD Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe. 

PHSD said Imvamune is a live, attenuated (weakened), non-replicating vaccine that is used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against monkeypox. Health Canada first approved the use of this vaccine in 2013 for active immunization against smallpox in a public health emergency, said the health unit. 

Sutcliffe's advisory said the Imvamune vaccine is available to individuals aged 18 or older who are considered at high risk of exposure.

In general, this would include transgender or cis-gender individuals who self-identify as gay or bisexual, or men who otherwise have sex with men, are eligible to receive Imvamune, said the alert.

Full details of the qualifying criteria are available on the public health website.

Individuals who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding may be at higher risk for severe illness from a monkeypox infection, the health unit said. Anyone in these categories should contact Public Health Sudbury for consideration of pre-exposure prophylaxis if they are at risk for contracting monkeypox.

PHSD said the vaccine can be used as a post-exposure treatment (PEP) for individuals with recent high-risk monkeypox exposures. A single dose of the vaccine should be offered within four days (up to 14 days) from the date of the last exposure to a confirmed or probable case of monkeypox.

The advisory also said eligible individuals who want to receive a pre-exposure vaccine should be directed to call Public Health at 705-522-9200, ext. 482 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200) or Réseau ACCESS Network at 705-688-0500. Individuals can also call Public Health at ext. 772 if they are seeking PEP.

For case and contact management information, please contact the Control of Infectious Diseases program at 705-522-9200, ext. 772 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200).