The Thunder Bay group says public health and government leaders need to be proactive.
THUNDER BAY — Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay is calling for the immediate opening of high-risk Monkeypox vaccinations for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in all areas of Canada, including Thunder Bay.
The organization, which advocates for gender and sexual diversity, says lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic should be used to prevent monkeypox infections.
In a statement Monday, the Rainbow Collective said a proactive approach is needed to protect communities most at risk.
The World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a global health emergency on Friday.
As of July 21, Ontario had 288 confirmed cases, more than three-quarters of which were reported in the Toronto area.
All but one of the infections were in men.
The signs and symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox:
- fever
- headaches
- muscle pains
- a lack of energy
A rash that looks like pimples and pus-filled blisters can later develop all over the body.
The US Centers for Disease Control says more than 99% of patients survive, but infections can be fatal in young children, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Monkey pox can be transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions of infected individuals, through respiratory droplets from an infected person or from mother to fetus.
According to the latest published data, there are currently no confirmed cases in Northwestern Ontario.
But Thunder Bay’s Rainbow Collective said action is needed by political leaders and health officials “before it’s too late.”
President Jason Veltri called on Thunder Bay District Medical Officer of Health Dr Janet DeMille to take an active role in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in the TBDHU catchment area to ensure the virus does not reach this area.
Veltri said the Rainbow Collective is ready to work with TBDHU to ensure that high-risk individuals have equitable access to the vaccine.
He also wants local MP Patty Hajdu and Marcus Powlowski to advocate for greater access by Health Canada to the monkeypox vaccine across Canada.
In response to an inquiry from TBnewswatch, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit said it has a limited amount of vaccine that can be used under current provincial guidelines.
Although there are no diagnosed cases of Monkeypox here, supplies were sent to the city as a precaution in case it was needed.
Director of Health Protection and Chief Nursing Officer Diana Gowanlock said TBDHU continues to work with the Ministry of Health regarding expanded eligibility to additional high-risk populations.
Gowanlock said the health unit is also consulting with community groups and will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.