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The Gray Bruce Health Unit will be holding clinics to vaccinate people against monkey pox from Friday.
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Eligible individuals can now register for the clinics by appointment, which will be held Friday and Wednesday at the Gray Bruce Health Unit in Owen Sound. The clinics will then take place biweekly on Wednesdays until further notice, the health unit said in a press release.
Although the risk of acquiring monkeypox in Grey-Bruce remains very low, the health unit is closely monitoring the outbreak of the virus in several countries and making efforts such as clinics to help prevent spread, according to the release.
“Imvamune, a third-generation vaccine approved by Health Canada, is a safe and highly effective way to protect people from monkeypox,” Dr. Ian Arra, chief medical officer of Grey-Bruce Health, said in the statement . “Public Health is pleased to have clinics to ensure this vaccine is available and accessible to all eligible and high-risk individuals in Grey-Bruce.”
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Vaccination appointments are required and can be made by calling the health unit at 519-376-9420. People who want to be vaccinated must meet eligibility criteria according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and due to a limited supply of vaccine. Eligibility information is available at
The local health unit confirmed its first case of the virus in early July. The person was a resident of Grey-Bruce, but likely acquired the virus while visiting the GTA, the health unit said at the time.
The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern after it was confirmed in dozens of countries, including Canada, during the current outbreak. As of August 5, Canada had reported 957 cases, almost half of them in Ontario.
The virus causes fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness, usually followed by a rash and blisters on the skin. It is usually spread through close contact with someone who has the virus.
While anyone can get monkeypox, during the current outbreak gay, bisexual and other men who have had sex with men have been the most affected, according to the health unit’s website. More details about the virus are available at publichealthgreybruce.on.ca