Monkeypox vaccine is available in Sudbury for qualified individuals

Public Health Sudbury and Districts only has the Imvamune vaccine for certain people who are considered to be at high risk of the disease

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

The alert was sent 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, the health unit said.

Sutcliffe’s advice says the Imvamune vaccine is available to people aged 18 or over who are considered to be at high risk of exposure.

Generally, this includes transgender or cisgender individuals who self-identify as gay or bisexual, or men who otherwise have sex with men, are eligible to receive Imvamune, the warning said.

Full details of eligibility criteria are available on the Public Health website.

Individuals who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding may be at higher risk of severe illness from 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 of contracting monkeypox.

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

The advisory board 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 looking for PEP.

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