Category: Monkey Pox Vaccine

So, I decided to get the Monkeypox (MPXV) vaccine.

Why, you ask?

I wish I could say it was mainly because I wanted to do my part and look out for the community. Yes, that was part of it, but the main reason I chose to get jabbed was the symptoms.

MPXV symptoms can include a rash, painful skin lesions or sores on the face, mouth, genitals, and anus. This is usually accompanied by fever, headache, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

Painful lesions on my genitals and anus?

Listen, if theres a vaccine that protects me from painful lesions and sores below the waist, or anywhere else on my body, jab my brains out.

According to ACON, MPXV is transmitted through close physical contact as well as contact with the clothing of with someone who has symptoms.

MPXV can also be transmitted if you breathe in the respiratory droplets of an infected person.

Australia has received a supply of the third-generation JYNNEOS vaccine. In order to be fully vaccinated, you must get two doses of the vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart.

Currently, the vaccine is being administered intradermally. This means it is given via a shallow injection into the forearm.

According to Australias Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, The advantage of the intradermal route is that you can provide vaccination to four or five people with the same dose that was used previously via the subcutaneous route to get to one person. In other words, this method allows clinics to squeeze four to five doses from a single standard dose, which allows a significantly larger number of people to get protected.

Between May 20 and October 13, 2022, there were 140 MPXV cases in Australia, including 69 in Victoria, 54 in New South Wales, 7 in Western Australia, 5 in Queensland, 3 in the Australian Capital Territory, and 2 in South Australia.

Sure, lining up with other gay and bisexual men to get a vaccine that temporarily leaves a small raised bump at the injection site feels a bit like a scarlet letter. But wear that scarlet letter with pride.

If anything, think of all the grateful genitals.

Read more:

WHY I GOT THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE - Star Observer

Dr. Fauci explains why people are not protected from monkeypox

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talked to USA TODAY about protection against monkeypox.

Ariana Triggs and Becky Kellogg, USA TODAY

As the monkeypox outbreak continues to spreadworldwide, cases across theU.S.are climbing. And on Monday, Los Angeles County reported what is believed to be the first recorded U.S. death linked to the virus.

Confirmed cases of monkeypox have reached more than 59,600worldwide, according toWednesday numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak, first spotted in Europe in late April, has reached 103countries the vast majority in nations that hadn't previouslyhad significant caseloads of the rare, viral infection.

In addition to the California death, the CDC has confirmed that 18 people outside the U.S. have died of the disease in 2022. Still,the world's largest monkeypox outbreak belongs to the U.S.

The U.S. had reported 22,774 confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases as of Wednesday, per the CDC. Highly-populated states are leading the numbers with 4,300confirmed cases in California, followed by 3,694confirmed cases in New York.

What is monkeypox?A look at symptoms, treatment and addressing the myths

Combatting misinformation and stigma: Monkeypox is spreading through sex, but it's not an STI. Why calling it one is a problem.

On Monday, Los Angles County health officials announced that a resident had died from monkeypox, with the cause of death confirmed by the autopsy.The patient was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized, officials said.

It's possible that this marks the first recorded U.S. death from monkeypox, but health officials are also investigating whether monkeypox contributed to the August death of a Texas adult. That patient was also severely immunocompromised, the Texas Department of State Health Services said.

California: First known monkeypox death in US confirmed by LA County health officials

Texas: Officials investigating whether monkeypox played role in death of immunocompromised adult

Many have criticized the Biden administration for not acting more quickly at the start of the outbreak, including aslow launch on testing and vaccine rollout to meet demand, but the White House said last week that it was optimistic about rising vaccinations.

In order to stretch the nation's limited supply, U.S. health officials authorized a plan onAug. 9to give people one-fifth of the usual doseof the Jynneos vaccine, citing research that suggests the reduced amount is about as effective. This came days after the Biden administration announceda nationwide public health emergency.

As of Sept. 8,more than 460,000 doses have been given,Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the deputy coordinator of the White House national monkeypox response, said last week.

The administration has also promised to ramp up vaccination offerings at large LGBTQ events, like Pride festivals, around the country in the coming weeks.

Monkeypox is not a gay disease.But LGBTQ leaders say they need more help for gay men and everyone else

Repeating history: After repeating early COVID mistakes, US now has the worlds biggest monkeypox outbreak

Monkeypox does not usually cause serious illness however,it can result in hospitalization or death. The virus is spread through close, physical contact. The current outbreak is primarily affecting men who have sex with men (93%of U.S. cases), but health officials stressthat the viruscan infect anyone.

However, experts have also stressed concerns of worsening racial disparities in the reported cases.Latinoand Black peoplehave been disproportionately infected.

Racial disparities: Black, Hispanic people disproportionately suffer monkeypox but fewer are getting the vaccine, early data shows

Here's where confirmed cases stand across U.S. states and territories, according to CDC numbers from Wednesday, September 13:

Alabama: 90

Alaska: 3

Arizona: 399

Arkansas: 52

California: 4,300

Colorado: 235

Connecticut: 114

Delaware: 35

District of Columbia: 473

Florida: 2,301

Georgia: 1,614

Hawaii: 25

Idaho: 12

Illinois: 1,187

Indiana: 195

Iowa: 22

Kansas: 7

Kentucky: 39

Louisiana: 219

Maine: 7

Maryland: 598

Massachusetts: 356

Michigan: 237

Minnesota: 163

Mississippi: 55

Missouri: 70

Montana: 5

Nebraska: 28

Nevada: 204

New Hampshire: 27

New Jersey: 633

New Mexico: 33

New York: 3,694

North Carolina: 435

North Dakota: 5

Ohio: 236

Oklahoma: 31

Oregon: 183

Pennsylvania: 678

Puerto Rico: 155

Rhode Island: 61

South Carolina: 133

South Dakota: 2

Tennessee: 239

Texas: 2,017

Utah: 128

Vermont: 3

Virginia: 422

Washington: 535

West Virginia: 10

Wisconsin: 64

Wyoming: 2

What's everyone talking about?Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day

Contributing: Celina Tebor, Cady Stanton, Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY. The Associated Press.

More:

Monkeypox state cases: New York, California numbers amid US emergency

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More and more people are getting vaccinated against monkeypox and becoming acquainted with the common side effect: a hard lump.

"I've had a lot of patients show me their lumps," Elsbet Servay, clinical director of immunizations at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City, told Insider. "It's a normal, expected reaction."

This swelling is one of the 13 most common side effects healthcare workers typically see after administering Jynneos (the two-dose smallpox vaccine that also protects against monkeypox).

It's nothing to worry about, Servay said: Lumps and aches are "a part of your immune system doing its job."

If you are part of the select at-risk group advised to get vaccinated against monkeypox, here's what you need to know.

The US is dishing outmonkeypox shots at a faster clip these days thanks to both increased vaccine production, and a new skin-deep dose-saving technique. Federal officialssaid Tuesdaythat there should be "enough" vaccine supply now to inoculate everyone "in the at-risk community."

Instead of injecting a full dose into the fatty area at the back of a person's arm (a "subcutaneous injection"), some healthcare workers are following CDC advice to inject a fifth of the dose just under the surface of the skin (an "intradermal injection") at a very tight 5 to 15-degree angle.

"The technique is a bit of a dying art," Servaytold Insider. "It's just a little trickier to administer, but we do expect it to offer protection."

Because the intradermal injection is delivered so shallowly, you can actually see the vaccine liquid appear immediately inside the body, just under the surface of the skin:

If the intradermal injection does not immediately result in this bubble of liquid under the skin (often referred to as a "bleb" or "wheal"), the injection has failed, and has to be re-done.

Callen-Lorde has trained eight nurses in intradermal vaccine technique for monkeypox, done with special needles that can measure "a very small amount of liquid" with "very fine syringes," Servay said.

But, aside from this fine-tuned procedure, the effects of the monkeypox vaccine, whether given intradermally or subcutaneously, should be quite similar.

"The most common vaccine side effects are pain, redness, swelling, hardness, itching at the injection site," Servay said. These side effects may be slightly more pronounced with intradermal injections than they were with subcutaneous shots, in large part because "under the skin there's a more evolved, richer immune system" than in arm fat.

"When you think of all the cuts and scrapes that people get in day to day life, it makes sense," Servay added.

According to a 2015 study of more than 350 vaccine recipients, side effects are more common among people who get Jynneos intradermally than those who receive the bigger, deeper subcutaneous shots. But, there is one side effect that is far more common among people who get the vaccine injected into their arm fat.

The tenderness and pain at the injection site after a subcutaneous shot into the back of the arm can be worse than the pain after an intradermal forearm injection, which tends to just be more itchy and red.

Dr. Graham Walker, an ER physician in San Francisco told Insider that his injection site was "definitely tender" for a while after his first subcutaneous shot a few weeks ago.

"One time I bumped the back of my arm on something and it hurt a LOT for a few seconds, like a stubbed toe," he said.

The most common shared complaint among people who've gotten the Jynneos vaccine whether their injection was administered intradermally or subcutaneously has been the presence of a "bump," "knot," or hard "lump" lingering for days or weeks afterwards. (That watery bleb, on the other hand, starts to dissipate almost immediately, and shouldn't be noticeable by the next day.)

One microbiology student described his first (subcutaneous) shot lump on Twitter as the size of a "nickel" but said his second (intradermal) injection resulted in a hump as big as an "egg."

Second dose side effects can often be more pronounced than first doses, because the immune system has already been primed to react. (Be aware that some health departments, including New York City's, are not scheduling second doses just yet.)

Servay said if there's one word of caution she would offer to people getting monkeypox vaccines, it's that the vaccine "doesn't work right away" and people "really don't have any" protection in the first days after their shot is administered.

"I have seen cases of monkeypox in people who probably acquired it slightly before or around the time they got their first dose," she said.

An immune response to monkeypox starts ramping up at about two weeks after a first shot, but "two weeks after that second dose is when you get maximum protection," Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the US's deputy monkeypox response coordinator, said during the briefing Tuesday.

"That shot is not for today," he said, stressing there are "lots of other strategies" to reduce the spread of the virus in the meantime.

However, if you're one of the more than 18,900 people nationwide who've recently had monkeypox, there's no reason to rush out and get shots. Like smallpox, immunity from a prior monkeypox infection should last for a while, experts say.

Link:

Monkeypox Vaccine Side Effects: Hard Lump, Bleb, Appetite Changes

After the first case of monkeypox was reported in the U.S. in May, case numbers quickly climbedand calls for vaccinations soon followed.

Vaccines were introduced in the summer and, so far, over 900,000 have been administered across the country. Yet their rollout hasnt been quite so straightforward.

Limited dosage supplies meant that only certain individuals were deemed eligible for the jab which created a scramble for vaccination appointments. In light of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized that a single dosage could be split into five to reach more peopleprompting concerns that protection levels may be compromised.

Meanwhile, some recipients are developing a red, painful mark at the injection site.

Some outlets including The Washington Post reported this prospect is deterring recipientsprimarily men who have sex with menfrom getting either their initial or follow-up dose, partly for fear of stigmatization.

Lets take a closer look at some issues that have been arising and what implications they have for those receiving the vaccination.

Before delving into concerns around smaller dosage amounts, its important to understand how most vaccines are delivered regardless of what disease they provide protection against. There are three types of injectable vaccines: intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular.

Most vaccinations currently available, like SARS-CoV-2 or influenza vaccines, are intramuscular injections, Dr Michael Chang, a specialist in infectious diseases at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann Hospital, explained to Healthline.

Common intramuscular injection sites include the upper arm or leg. Furthermore, he noted, for most authorized or fully approved vaccines, injecting deeper into the muscle maximizes the immune response against the vaccine, optimizing protection. [It also] minimizes the frequency of local injection site reactions.

In subcutaneous injections, the needle is inserted into a layer deeper than the skin, usually the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle, said Chang. The JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine was initially approved for administration in this way.

However, the approach isnt used as much for vaccines, as the immune response in the skin may not be as vigorous, and you have more local site injection reactions, Chang revealed.

This leads us to intradermal injection, whereby the vaccination is delivered to the top layer of the skin. This is now the method being used for monkeypox vaccines. So why the switch?

Often, intradermal vaccines require a lower dose to receive efficacy, Dr.Sujal Mandavia, chief medical officer at Carbon Health, told Healthline.

This is because the immune system of the fine layers of our skin is well primed to receive foreign things, like vaccines, and tends to respond quite vigorously.

With vaccine shortages a challenge, the intradermal approach enables doses to be split into fifths. The result? We can stretch the current available supply and vaccinate more at-risk individuals, noted David M. Souleles, MPH, director of MPH Program and Practice at the University of California, Irvine.

However, Chang explained, it is recommended that those aged under 18 still receive the vaccination subcutaneously rather than intradermally.

If you only receive 20% of a typical monkeypox vaccine dose, you might think you wouldnt be protected against the disease.

However, this isnt the case according to the research.

The FDA made the decision to use a lower amount of vaccination and administer it intradermally based on this clinical study involving 524 patients, said Mandavia. [The study] demonstrated that, when injected [intradermally] into the skin, one-fifth of the JYNNEOS vaccine produces a similar immune response to a full dose of subcutaneous administration.

While the current vaccination certainly offers protection, more research is needed into the defense levels it affords over an extended period. The effect on long-term immunity and protection against monkeypox from the one-fifth intradermal dose remains unclear at this time, Chang added.

Fortunately, receiving one-fifth of a vaccination dose doesnt mean you need to have four follow-up injections to obtain optimum benefits.

With intradermal administration of the monkeypox vaccine, two doses of the vaccine given 28 days apart is considered fully vaccinated and provides protection, shared Souleles.

If youre under the age of 18 and receive your vaccination subcutaneously, your second dose should also come 28 days after the first.

Peak immunity is expected 14 days after the second dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine, added Chang. Unfortunately, second dose coverage is low per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data.

A key reason individuals are skipping their second dose? The appearance of a sore, red mark at the site of their first injection. Yet, this side effect isnt limited to the monkeypox vaccine.

This is a common issue with any intradermal injection, and not only the JYNNEOS vaccine, Chang shared.

The reason this appears, Mandavia explained, is because the body recognizes the viral load as foreign and sends immune cells to react against it.

Think about the COVID-19 vaccine or flu vaccine, added Souleles. That can often result in a sore arm at the injection site for days after the injection.

While potentially unsightly and uncomfortable, the red welt that commonly develops with the monkeypox vaccine is benign and is not harmful, assured Mandavia.

For those concerned about developing another red mark in a visible area following the second dose, you have options. Chang explained it is possible to request the injection be given in a less visible intradermal site, such as the shoulder (over the deltoid) or the upper back over the shoulder blades (scapula).

Good news: Chang explained that the mark usually subsides within 72 hours to 1 week although, in rare instances, they can remain for three to four weeks.

If, at any point following injection, you develop worsening tenderness or swelling at the injection site, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider, urged Chang.

In the meantime, if you develop a red mark at the injection point, following a couple of simple steps may help reduce it.

Since this is typically related to skin irritation, gentle massage and applying a cold pack to the site can help relieve the symptoms faster, Chang revealed.

Any damage to the skin (including via vaccination) can potentially leave a mark or scar in the long term. But some individuals are believed to be at greater risk.

For instance, its thought that those with keloidsor a history of themare more likely to develop scarring following intradermal vaccination.

Keloids are excess growths of scar tissue that grow following trauma to the skin. They are most often seen in those with darker skin, who are pregnant, or under the age of 30.

As such, the CDC recommends that individuals with keloids, either currently or previously, be given the monkeypox vaccination subcutaneously.

Additionally, the New York City Department of Health mentioned in their monkeypox vaccination leaflet, that monkeypox infection has high potential for scarring and permanent skin changes.

Some people eligible for the monkeypox vaccine have brought up concerns about getting their second dose.

However, to obtain optimal protection against monkeypox, receiving the full vaccination is essential. This means two injections, 28 days apart.

Having a sore mark might be uncomfortable for a short time, stated Mandavia. However, it is a mild side effect of the vaccine that could save you from more serious illness with symptoms like a painful rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.

If you have any concerns about the vaccine, side effects, or potential scarring, always speak with your healthcare or vaccination provider.

View original post here:

What is Going on With the Monkeypox Vaccination Campaign Right Now - Healthline

News Release

October 11, 2022

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has added approximately 25,000 appointments for monkeypox immunization and doubled the number of clinics offering the vaccine from today until Friday, October 31, following the expansion of second-dose eligibility by the provincial government.

Eligible individuals who received a first dose of the Imvamune vaccine may now receive a second dose 28 days after their first dose. More information is available on the Ministry of Healths website.

TPH continues to follow federal and provincial guidance on administering of Imvamune vaccines to protect at-risk populations against the monkeypox virus. Appointments are available for clients who meet the following criteria:

a) Two-spirit, non-binary, transgender, cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify or have partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community and at least one of the following: Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection (STI) within the last year.

b) Individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender.

c) Household and/or sexual contacts of people who are eligible for Pre-Exposure Vaccination listed in parts (a) or (b) above and who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) or are pregnant. These individuals may be at risk for severe illness from a monkeypox infection and may be considered for Pre-Exposure Vaccination, and should contact a healthcare provider or Toronto Public Health for more information.

d) Research laboratory employees working directly with replicating orthopoxviruses. This completed form must be provided.

Appointments are required for eligible individuals to get vaccinated and can be booked online using the TPH Appointment Booking System. Health card and identification are not required to receive a monkeypox vaccine or to book an appointment at a City-run immunization clinic.

Starting today, six City of Toronto-run immunization clinics are administering the Imvamune vaccine:

Monkeypox spreads from person to person through contact with infected lesions, skin blisters, body fluids or respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by contact with materials contaminated with the virus (e.g. clothing, bedding) and through bites or scratches from infected animals.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash or blisters on the skin. Most people recover from monkeypox on their own without treatment. Vaccination is being offered to protect against the monkeypox virus and can help reduce serious symptoms. Like most vaccines, the Imvamune vaccine can take up to two weeks for those vaccinated to be fully protected.

TPH asks residents with monkeypox symptoms to self-isolate immediately and contact a healthcare provider. People who have been in contact with a person who has monkeypox should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, they should self-isolate, seek care and get tested. Healthcare providers are reminded that suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox must be reported to TPH. As with many other diseases spread through close contact, people can lower their risk by reducing the number of close contacts, cleaning their hands frequently and wearing a mask when possible. Common household disinfectants can kill the monkeypox virus on surfaces.

Public Health Ontario updates monkeypox data for Ontario twice monthly. As of October 4, there was 496 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in Toronto, with eight probable cases currently under investigation. More information is available on the Public Health Ontario website.

TPH continues to follow up with anyone thought to be exposed to monkeypox. TPH also continues to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario, and the Ontario Ministry of Health. TPH has communicated with local physicians to provide information on symptoms, laboratory testing and diagnosis, infection control precautions, treatment and reporting requirements for monkeypox.

More information is available on the Citys monkeypox webpage.

Residents can also find information about monkeypox on the Public Health Agency of Canadas website or through TPHs Health Connections onlineor by calling 416 338-7600.

Additional information is available on the Gay Mens Sexual Health Alliance website.

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canadas leading economic engine and one of the worlds most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the Citys website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

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Toronto Public Health adds immunization appointments and locations as eligibility for second dose monkeypox vaccine expands - Toronto

The Health Service Executive intends on completing monkeypox vaccinations for high priority groups by the end of the year.

Representatives from the HSE told the Oireachtas Health Committee today that 11 designated vaccination centres will open across the country from Monday, 17 October.

Individuals will be asked to self-identify their risk and book a vaccine appointment.

The HSE estimates that between 6,000 and 13,000 people would benefit from a primary prevention monkeypox vaccine.

The roll-out to high priority groups is already under way, with almost 500 people vaccinated so far, however Monday will mark a significant expansion.

TDs and Senators were told this morning that the aim is to complete vaccinations for high priority groups between now and December.

However, some queried how such a target could be met when the international supply of Monkeypox vaccine is limited.

"That community of 13,000 people ... only a fraction of those will actually be offered a vaccine in the short to medium term", Sinn Fin's Health Spokesperson David Cullinane told the committee.

Dr Ciaran Bannan, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, St James's Hospital, accepted that there are currently not enough doses to meet the overall 13,000 people that would benefit from a vaccine. However, he told members that it was hoped that further supplies would soon be secured.

To date over 2,000 vials of monkeypox vaccination have been sourced.

In August, the European Medicines Agency also advised that the vaccine could be administered intra-dermally, meaning vaccine vials can go further and provide more doses.

According to the EMA, one vial can provide five doses. In practice, the committee was told that vaccine administrators usually get four doses per vial.

Two doses of monkeypox vaccine are administered at least 28 days apart.

Politicians also heard that 194 cases of the disease have been notified in Ireland, with 11 of those requiring hospitalisation.

Cases are predominately male, and the mean age is 35 years.

Deputy Neasa Hourigan expressed concern over the financial challenges that people may face, particularly those in precarious work, if required to self-isolate.

"We're not supporting people financially the way we did during Covid," she told the Committee.

In response, Professor Fiona Lyons, Clinical Lead for Sexual Health, said that the HSE had "raised that [issue] with the Department".

Read more:Monkeypox cases top 70,000, says WHO

Link:

11 monkeypox vaccination centres to open from Monday - RTE.ie

Londons local health unit said the risk of the student population contracting monkeypox in the region is very low at this time, though the community should continue booking vaccines if eligible.

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the Middlesex-London region since mid-May, but there have been no hospitalizations related to the virus.

Fortunately, both at a local level and at a provincial level, the monkeypox outbreak is waning, said Dr. Alex Summers, the MLHUs chief medical officer, in a virtual media briefing on Sept. 15. That is due in large part to tremendous uptake of vaccine amongst those at risk as well as extensive awareness of the potential risks of this virus.

The monkeypox virus is predominantly transmitted from close intimate contact between two people. It can also be spread through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids and through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Trends show the majority of monkeypox cases in Canada have been reported by those with more than one sexual partner and men who have intimate sexual contact with other men.

The MLHU has focused their efforts on raising awareness for early symptom identification among the populations most at risk. This involved working with groups like Pride London to vaccinate those at risk and ensure symptom knowledge is available.

Canada approved the Imvamune vaccine for protection against monkeypox. According to the MLHU, the vaccine can be used for protection against monkeypox before exposure to the virus or after exposure, but is not considered to be a treatment. After getting the vaccine, it takes at least two weeks to build protection.

Signs and symptoms of monkeypox include painful, blister-like lesions around the genitals and mouth. If a student notices symptoms, they should immediately visit Health and Wellness Services or MLHUs STI clinics for assessment. The MLHU advises to self-isolate and avoid close contact with others.

Dr. Summers said the MLHU has had conversations with Student Health Services at Western University about how to recognize a possible case of monkeypox.

The MLHU hosted monkeypox vaccination clinics over the summer and into September at their Citi Plaza location in downtown London, Ont., but have stopped at this time. Individuals who remain eligible for the vaccine can contact the MLHU directly to book a vaccine.

According to guidelines from the Ministry of Health, those eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine include two-spirited, non-binary, trans or cis-gender individuals who self-identify as or have sexual partners in the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men communities.

They must also meet one of the following criteria: being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, recently having or planning to have two or more sexual partners and recently having or planning to have anonymous sex.

Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to is also elgible for a pre-exposure vaccine.

Dr. Summers said additional clinics may be organized in the near future to provide a second dose to individuals who received a first dose, now that additional vaccine supply is available.

Due to supply constraints over the past few months, Ontario was administering single doses of Imvamune to limit ongoing transmission. Two doses were recommended only for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals and certain research laboratory employees.

Dr. Summers explained that, while the risk of monkeypox is very little for many post-secondary students , what is a larger risk are other STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

He said its important for students to take precautions, like condom use during sexual activities and getting screened regularly for STIs at the health units STI clinics or Student Health Services, to protect yourself and your close sexual partners.

See the article here:

Do I need to be worried about monkeypox? - The Gazette Western University's Newspaper

On 11 October 2022, WHOs Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization met to discuss recommendations for vaccinations for four major public health emergencies the world is experiencing. This group of experts is critical in bringing together scientific research and analysis to make recommendations for public health measures involving vaccines.

In low-income countries, 19% of people are fully vaccinated, with 23% having had the first dose. SAGE recommends that any COVID-19 vaccines or newer variant-containing vaccines (VCVs) can be used for booster vaccination, however VCVs should not be used for primary vaccination since there is not enough evidence to support this.

Achieving high and equitable vaccine coverage with the original (ancestral virus) COVID-19 vaccines is still the main priority, especially for groups at high risk of severe disease or death. Countries should also not delay rolling out booster doses by waiting for VCVs its better that high-risk groups are protected with a booster four to six months after the initial dose, rather than waiting for the new VCVs.

COVAX is in discussion with manufacturers and donors to make sure lower-income countries will be able to access VCVs once they receive WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL). However, given the recommendations, VCVs are expected to have limited use as boosters, but ensuring this choice is available to lower-income countries and high-income countries in parallel is important to ensure equity in access.

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox demonstrates how urgently the world needs a global response plan for new threats, including triggers for when various types of support will be rolled out. Although cases remain low in the lower-income countries that Gavi supports, the organisation is working closely with governments and partners to monitor the situation.

SAGE recommended pre-exposure vaccination for groups at high risk for exposure to monkeypox. The group at highest risk currently is men who have sex with men, with multiple sexual partners. Others at risk include individuals with multiple casual sexual partners; sex workers; health workers at repeated risk of exposure; laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses; clinical laboratory and health care personnel performing diagnostic testing for monkeypox; and outbreak response staff. The level of risk of infection can be used for prioritisation in case of limited vaccine supply.

SAGE also recommends post-exposure vaccination for close contacts of cases, ideally within four days of first exposure and up to 14 days in the absence of symptoms.

Research into monkeypox has been neglected, and the committee called for increased study of the epidemiology of monkeypox in previously affected countries in Africa, and how the disease is interacting with wildlife that can spread the virus.

An outbreak of the Sudan strain of Ebola virus broke out in Uganda on 11 September 2022, and as of 6 October there are 44 confirmed cases, 20 suspected cases and 10 deaths reported from 5 districts in Uganda. Existing vaccines which are highly effective against the Zaire strain wont offer protection against the Sudan strain causing the current Ebola outbreak in. As a result, clinical trials of promising vaccine candidates will be a key pillar of this response. There are six candidate vaccines under development against the Sudan ebolavirus, three of which have undergone phase 1 or 2 clinical trials.

Gavi is working with the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners to identify how the Alliance can support clinical trial rollout and health systems capacity in Uganda as well as helping shape the market for any successful candidates. Gavi funds the existing global stockpile of Ebola vaccines, which has been used to successfully combat other Ebola outbreaks across the African continent, and also supports countries with outbreak response for a range of other diseases.

The vaccination response will be used to evaluate the efficacy of one of the candidate vaccines using a ring vaccination approach similar to that used for the Guinea trial with the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine, with the difference that only contacts will be offered vaccination to optimise the use of the limited doses of vaccine.

Wild poliovirus 1 (WPV1) continues to circulate in Pakistan, and there are continued detections of WPV1 in South-eastern Africa. Vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) continues to be detected in the African region and in Yemen, as well as in New York, London, and Jerusalem. SAGE endorsed improving the routine coverage of polio vaccination with inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) to respond to outbreaks in countries that use only IPV for routine childhood immunisation.

The continued threat of outbreaks means that SAGE also recommended that all countries have outbreak response plans to be prepared for a timely response against VDPV or WPV1 outbreak.

SAGE emphasised the importance of improving routine immunisation coverage and ensuring that zero-dose children are included in routine immunisation for all recommended paediatric vaccines. The committee also acknowledged the importance of accelerated efforts to develop and authorise novel OPVs against type 1 and 3 virus.

SAGE discussed concerns in routine immunisation coverage across the world, with the alarming rise in measles outbreaks a key focus. Not only is measles highly infectious, but fighting it requires 95% population coverage with vaccines, which even some high-income countries are not reaching currently.

In 2022 and 2023, a key focus for the Alliance will be helping lower-income countries to recover measles coverage and reach more children than ever, while also supporting outbreak response. Measles is also an important tracer of how well health systems can reach missed communities protecting more lives and improving the ability to detect and respond to outbreaks.

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Five takeaways from WHO's immunisation advisory committee - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Galveston resident Serena Davidson turned out to Galveston Pride on Saturday with her daughter to receive the monkeypox vaccine.

While shes not in a high-risk category, she wanted to get protection as soon as possible because she has mild eczema and worries about exposure to the virus. Her 17-year-old daughter also faced her fear of needles to get her first dose.

Monkeypox seems very scary and if theres something out there that can help you not get it why wouldnt you take it? Davidson said.

The two were among vaccine recipients of the 2,000 doses the Galveston County Health District had to give to anyone over the age of 18 this weekend.

We wanted to make sure that we had enough to have it available for anyone who wants one, said Philip Keiser, CEO of GCHD and associate dean for public health practice at UTMB.

In advance of Galveston Pride, GCHD requested additional vaccine doses from the Texas Department of State Health Services and nearby local health authorities. Fort Bend and Harris counties contributed doses.

The vaccine is available to anyone 18 or older, including non-Galveston County residents, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or pre-existing conditions. Non-residents may return to GCHD for their second dose or contact their local health authority.

Children under 18 may get the vaccine with consent of a parent or guardian.

Initially GCHD had only a few hundred doses, so only people in high-risk groups could get the vaccine.

The majority of reported cases, 94 percent, are in men, nonbinary people and transgender people who have sex with men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with HIV made up 41 percent of cases. Anyone can contract monkeypox through direct contact with an infected rash or body fluids.

For this event, Keiser wanted to cast a wide net.

Ashley Sciba, director of community health services for GCHD, had become accustomed to mass vaccination events for COVID-19, but this was her first monkeypox vaccination event.

Sciba said most people are surprised by the vaccines placement - under the skin of the forearm. As with COVID-19, the nurses have addressed vaccine hesitancy by explaining the side effects and research behind the vaccination.

GCHD made their own monkeypox vaccination cards based on the CDCs COVID-19 cards. Each person completes a consent form and is given an information packet before getting their dose.

People began lining up in the parking lot at 706 Holiday Drive near the Galveston seawall at 9:30 a.m Saturday. By noon, people were able to get a vaccine without waiting in line.

At Friday nights event at Roberts Lafitte, the oldest running gay bar in Galveston, a team of two nurses vaccinated about 60 people in two hours.

Keiser noted that although hundreds of people came through the bar, only a small portion wanted the vaccine.

Theres a lot of vaccine hesitancy, Keiser said. So many people said they wanted the vaccine, and now were saying here it is, but people dont want it.

Keiser said GCHD will share what they learn from this weekends events with DSHS to improve future outreach efforts.

The next vaccination event will be from 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Roberts Lafitte in Galveston. Visit gchd.org/monkeypox for more information.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas has had 1,664 confirmed cases of monkeypox, or about 6 cases per 100,000 people.

Galveston County Health District reported four probable cases and one confirmed case of monkeypox in the county.

The virus continues to spread across the Houston region, with new cases reported in schools. Last week, the IDEA Public Schools Hardy campus and Ridge Point High School in Fort Bend ISD both reported a case of monkeypox.

The Harris County Jail reported an inmate tested positive for monkeypox last week.

On Tuesday, the first monkeypox-related death in the United States was recorded in Harris County. The invdividual was severely immunocompromised, according to a statement from DSHS. Deaths associated with monkeypox are rare, with only 15 deaths worldwide, according to the CDC.

Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with an infected animal or person or materials contaminated with the virus. The primary transmission route is through contact with infected lesions, scabs or body fluids. A person with monkeypox is infectious until their rash has fully healed.

The vaccine used to prevent monkeypox is called JYNNEOS and is a variation of the smallpox vaccine. It contains a weakened virus that cannot cause monkeypox or smallpox.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose regime, with at least four weeks between doses.

Immunity begins days after the first dose, with maximum immunity developing two weeks after the second dose.

The most common side effects of the vaccine are muscle pain, headache, fatigue, nausea, chills and fever, along with redness and swelling at the injection site.

To schedule a monkeypox vaccination appointment, contact your local health department.

stephanie.lamm@chron.com

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Galveston offers monkeypox vaccine to all during Pride weekend

Second doses of the monkeypox vaccine will be available to British Columbians starting this week.

The Provincial Health Services Authority says those who received their first dose at least 28 days ago are eligible to make appointments for their second, as part of a two-dose series approved by Health Canada.

More than 19,000 doses of Imvamune have been administered to those most at risk of contracting the virus in B.C.

The health authority says eligible people who have not yet received a first dose are encouraged to do so, but those who have had a monkeypox infection do not need a vaccine.

It says more appointments will be added in the coming weeks as capacity for delivering the vaccine grows.

Monkeypox spreads when people have close, physical contact with an infected persons lesions, their clothing or bedsheets, and symptoms can include rash, swollen lymph nodes and fever.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says a total of 1,400 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Canada, including 162 in British Columbia.

RELATED: B.C. releases details of monkeypox vaccine availability as outbreak spreads globally

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Second doses of monkeypox vaccine available in B.C. this week Hope Standard - Hope Standard