Vaccination clinics are being held this week for people at high-risk of contracting monkeypox.
The Middlesex London Health Unit will be holding the clinics Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at its office in Citi Plaza at 355 Wellington St., Suite 110.
People 18 and older who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual community, men who have sex with men who have had more than one sexual partner within the last 21 days, and anyone identified as a close contact of an infected individual are eligible for the shot.
The targeted vaccination clinics are being rolled out across the province as more cases of monkeypox arise. Monkeypox is a viral illness which is classified as endemic in parts of central and western Africa. It is predominantly transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or through contact with either the lesions caused by the virus or the bodily fluid that can seep from the ruptured bumps. It can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated clothing or bedding and through respiratory droplets following prolonged exposure to an infected person.
While there is no vaccine specific to monkeypox, the first generation smallpox vaccine has proven effective against the virus.
"Although there is not enough evidence at this time to suggest whether this vaccine can stop infection altogether, there is evidence that the smallpox vaccine is safe," the health unit said.
Those eligible to receive the vaccine through the pop-up clinics do not need an appointment and will not be required to show a health card.
The London region confirmed its first case of monkeypox on June 13, nearly a month after the virus arrived in Canada. At the time, the health unit said the unidentified person was doing well and that close contacts did not require further treatment.
The risk of community spread of monkeypox remains very low, the health unit has reassured.
@mlhealthunit will be hosting a limited number of vaccination clinics for people who may be at highest-risk of being exposed to monkeypox at Citi Plaza on June 27 and June 29 (4PM-7PM). Learn more at: https://t.co/pJB692gkTY pic.twitter.com/g3WewaCYd2
— Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (@hivaidsconnect) June 24, 2022