Niagara Region Public Health to host monkeypox vaccination clinics

Niagara Region Public Health is hosting monkeypox vaccination clinics for high-risk community members next week.

Clinics will operate by appointment only from Aug. 2 to 4 at Niagara Region Sexual Health Centres.

• Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Welland Sexual Health Centre
• Wednesday, Aug. 3 at Niagara Falls Sexual Health Centre
• Thursday, Aug. 4 at St. Catharines Sexual Health Centre

This comes two days after the health unit reported its first confirmed case of the virus in a Niagara resident.

Those who have tested positive for monkeypox and high-risk individuals will receive Imvamune vaccine, a third generation smallpox vaccine.

Niagara Region Public Health said the clinic is intended for men over 18 who have sex with men or ​​​female (trans- and cis-gender) sex workers, as well as at least one of the following:

• Identify as a contact of an individual who recently tested positive for monkeypox;
• Have had two or more sexual partners within the past three weeks (21 days) or may be planning to;
• Have been diagnosed with a chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis infection over the past two months;
• Have attended bath houses, sex clubs and other venues for sexual contact within the past three weeks, including workers and volunteers; or
• Have had anonymous or casual sex in the past three weeks.

Eligible individuals can book an appointment by calling NRPH at 905-688-8248 or 1-800-263-7248 ext. 7425.