Canadians who are at high risk for monkeypox, not just those who have been infected, should get a vaccine, according to the new guidelines from the national agency that provides advice to the government on vaccines.
After reviewing the current state of the monkeypox outbreak in Canada, the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) issued new guidelines on Friday saying anyone with a high risk of exposure to a probable or confirmed case of smallpox of the monkey, or someone who has visited the environment where the virus is transmitted, should receive a dose of the Imvamune vaccine.
The NACI also said that vaccines can be offered to those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or nursing, or children and young people, if they have a higher risk of exposure.
Imvamune, commonly used to treat smallpox, has been approved by Health Canada to treat smallpox.
The story continues under the ad
Ideally, those who have been exposed to the virus should receive the vaccine within four days of exposure, Canada’s director of health, Dr. Theresa Tam, said during a briefing in Ottawa on Friday.
Read more: Monkeypox in Canada: 112 infections reported as global cases of 1,000
“The NACI’s recommendation is to offer a dose to someone who knows they have been in contact with a case or who have been in a high-risk exposure environment,” he said.
The recommendations state that a second dose should only be offered in limited circumstances.
Local public health authorities are working with companies and communities where outbreaks are occurring in Canada to identify sites where exposures have occurred and are contacting people who may have been exposed to the virus at these sites, he said. dir Tam.
Given the extent of the outbreaks so far, mass vaccination against monkeypox is not necessary at this time, he added.
“For the general population, the risk today is low.”
2:04 Canada issues travel warning as monkeypox cases spread Canada travel warning as monkeypox cases spread
There are at least 112 confirmed cases of smallpox in Canada as of Friday and all infected are men.
The story continues under the ad
This includes 98 cases in Quebec, nine in Ontario, four in Alberta and one in British Columbia, with other suspicious cases being investigated.
Smallpox is transmitted primarily by close physical contact, including intimate sexual contact, or exposure to crusts or body fluids, or even contaminated bedding.
Most cases in Canada are currently among men who have had sexual contact with other men, although the virus can be spread to anyone who has had contact with an infected person, Tam said.
Read more: “Anyone can get the monkey’s smallpox”: experts focus on science messages
Tam said the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with vaccine manufacturers to ensure a sufficient supply of the Imvamune vaccine is advancing.
Canada “does not have an unlimited supply” of this vaccine, Public Health Deputy Director Dr. Howard Njoo said in French during Friday’s briefing.
“But with a good strategic approach, with a prudent approach, we believe it is possible to contain the outbreak.”
– with archives of The Canadian Press.
Related news
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.