Emil Briones breathes a sigh of relief after receiving his first dose of the smallpox vaccine, which is now being offered to help protect Montrealers from the monkeypox virus.
He is one of more than 800 Montrealers who have so far lined up at the clinic in the heart of the gay village that has been offering the vaccine since May 27th.
“I’m very happy to have access to this today,” he said Wednesday, queuing at the clinic just around the corner from Place Émilie-Gamelin.
“I saw [the post about the clinic] on Facebook and you know it, just read articles about the outbreaks that are happening, and it’s pretty scary. “
To date, a total of 90 cases of the virus have been reported in Quebec since the first case was reported in Montreal on May 12. Most of them, 86, have been notified in the Montreal area.
The vast majority of cases in the province are among adult men who have had sex with men, according to provincial and municipal officials.
Compared to a milder form of smallpox, monkeypox is a rare viral disease that usually begins with symptoms such as fever, headache, backache, and fatigue, similar to symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu. . The most notable symptom is a rash or lesions on the skin.
The virus does not spread easily among people and is usually transmitted by prolonged close contact through respiratory droplets, direct contact with skin lesions or body fluids, or through contaminated clothing or bedding.
Lawrence Clifford-Reddy also received his first dose of the vaccine Wednesday and said he is concerned about the stigma it could generate against the gay community in Montreal.
He went down to get the vaccine after hearing about the clinic the day before. Although the spread of the virus is still limited, there is always the possibility that it can be transmitted without knowing it.
Emil Briones visited the clinic on Wednesday after learning that vaccine visits were available in the gay village. (CBC / Jennifer Yoon)
“I’m a massage therapist working for the gay community,” she said. “I’m practically all over my body, which is a bigger risk than just having sex.”
“The clinic is right here focused on a hot spot, which is excellent,” he added. “It’s easy to get, you can go through it during opening hours and it was available very quickly.”
The virus vaccine is currently available for people over the age of 18 who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, as well as for men who have had sexual contact with two or more men in recent years. two weeks. . No appointments required.
Those who believe they may have had close contact with a virus-infected object, such as bedding, may also receive the vaccine. People with potential symptoms can also get tested for the virus.
“If you have any concerns, just come and we’ll help you. We’ll let you know if you can get one or not,” said Danny Raymond, a spokesman for the Montreal-based health authority, CIUSSS. of the Center. -Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.
Public health officials believe the virus may still be contained in the gay community, Raymond said.
A total of 5,000 doses of the vaccine have been secured in the province, which also protects against smallpox.
Smallpox is derived from the same virus that causes smallpox, which the World Health Organization declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.
The health authority has partnered with RÉZO, a community-based organization that provides services for gay and bisexual men, including testing for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, to help spread the word about the clinic.
Carole Richer, one of the clinic’s nurses, said she is impressed with the turnout so far.
“They sell because they are well informed and are here for prevention. They want to take care of themselves and their health,” he said.
The clinic is located at 965 Maisonneuve Boulevard East. Those looking for more information on their eligibility can visit Montreal Public Health Website.