Category: Monkey Pox Vaccine

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.

Continue reading here:

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.

See original here:

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

Read the original post:

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

BC Healthvaccines

See the original post here:

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

Wintertime may look bleak in Chicago, but your health and wellness dont have to be. The public health landscape can often seem daunting, but The Daily is here to break down the three prevalent viruses to watch out for this season.

How an outbreak becomes an epidemic

Outbreaks can lead to epidemics or pandemics if case numbers rise quickly within a short period of time. These pandemics differ from seasonal variations in that people have little to no immunity given the novelty of the viruses.

On the other hand, the seasonal flu leads to an expected rise in cases that peaks between December and February. Scientists develop a new influenza vaccine yearly to target virus mutations and waning immunity over time, though previous infection and vaccination offer some immunity.

Though coronaviruses have also been around for a while, the COVID-19 pandemic originated from the SARS-CoV-2 strain. With mutations affecting the infectivity and severity of the disease, vaccine modifications have followed. Similarly to the seasonal flu, infections and booster doses strengthen immunity against COVID-19.

How each virus spreads

The key difference between the recent monkeypox outbreak, the seasonal flu and the COVID-19 pandemic is the rate at which transmission occurs.

Monkeypox primarily spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact, which can include direct contact to monkeypox rash or fluids from an infected person. The virus is therefore not as easily transmissible as COVID-19 and the flu, which primarily spread through respiratory droplets. Though the majority of monkeypox cases have been reported among men who have sex with other men, anyone who has close contact with an infected person can contract the virus.

COVID-19 and the flu spread in similar ways, but the smaller particle sizes of SARS-CoV-2 allow these respiratory droplets to stay in the air longer, increasing the rate of infection. This difference has made COVID-19 spread more rapidly than the flu.

COVID-19 also has a longer incubation period than the flu: someone who contracts the flu will typically experience symptoms within one to two days of exposure, while an individual with COVID-19 may not experience symptoms until within two days to two weeks. With this delay between symptom onset and viral exposure, people are more likely to spread SARS-CoV-2 before they quarantine or isolate.

Monkeypox has an even wider incubation period, ranging from five to 21 days.

Symptoms to watch out for

COVID-19 and the seasonal flu have many overlapping symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache and nausea. However, unlike the flu, COVID-19 may also present with loss of taste or smell as well as shortness of breath.

Though monkeypox symptoms also include fever, headache and exhaustion, the more distinctive symptoms include rash and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms typically persist for two to four weeks.

Prevention and possible treatment

Vaccines are currently available for all three viruses to increase immunity in case of exposure.

For COVID-19, vaccination eligibility differs by age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend first receiving a two- or three-dose primary vaccination series of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax, or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Those 12 years or older should then receive a bivalent booster dose authorized Sept. 1 at least two months after their last COVID-19 vaccination. This updated dose provides protection against the original COVID-19 virus as well as the more infectious omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants that comprise the majority of current infections.

Individuals between the ages of five and 11 are not yet eligible for the bivalent booster dose and should instead get the original monovalent booster dose at least five months after their last COVID-19 vaccination if they received the Pfizer primary-series vaccination.

The CDC has approved two vaccines for monkeypox, though vaccination is only recommended for those exposed to monkeypox or at high risk of exposure. Eligible individuals can either receive the two-dose Jynneos vaccination series or the single-dose ACAM2000 vaccine. Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service provides a list of local monkeypox vaccine providers on its website.

In terms of influenza vaccination, the CDC recommends individuals obtain the single-dose flu vaccine by the end of October. NU students can make a flu vaccine appointment at the Evanston campus, and all individuals can seek vaccination at nearby pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.

In terms of treatment, a health care professional can prescribe antiviral medications for the influenza virus. For COVID-19 and monkeypox, professionals can prescribe antiviral medications to eligible, high-risk populations.

University policies and guidelines

NU currently does not have vaccination requirements for the flu or monkeypox but encourages vaccination against these viruses for eligible individuals. All community members are required to have at least primary-series vaccination unless granted an exemption.

Individuals who suspect they have monkeypox should contact the health service for assessment and treatment. Students who test positive are required to self-isolate until fully healed in order to prevent transmission of the virus including using separate bathrooms, towels, clothing and linens from others. If living on campus, individuals must seek temporary off-campus housing for the duration of the isolation period, though the University has a limited number of isolation spaces available.

If students test positive for COVID-19, they will also be required to isolate for a minimum of five days. Students living on campus must complete their isolation period at 1835 Hinman Ave. NU recently updated its isolation housing policies for Fall Quarter.

While the University doesnt have isolation requirements for the flu, the CDC recommends isolation protocols similar to those outlined for COVID-19. Infected individuals should self-isolate until at least 24 hours after the absence of fever without fever-reducing medications.

Email: [emailprotected]

Twitter: @amittal27

Related Stories:

LTE: What you need to know about monkeypox

NU COVID-19 isolation housing evolves, NU provides no booster shot update

The Daily Explains: What you need to know about the flu season during COVID-19

Go here to see the original:

The Daily Explains: Navigating COVID-19, monkeypox and the flu this season - Daily Northwestern

Less than three months since it launched, themonkeypox rapid research responseled by the University of TorontosEmerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium(EPIC) and three partner hospitals is generating results that could help curb transmission of the virus.

When monkeypox first arrived in Canada, we quickly learned about the stockpile of smallpox vaccine [which also protects against monkeypox], saidJesse Knight, a PhD student in U of TsInstitute of Medical Science in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Given that the vaccine supply was quite limited early on, it was important to use it quickly and efficiently to help reduce cases.

Knight is the first author on a new modellingstudythat looks at how to optimize the initial rollout of vaccine to prevent the most infections. The study,which hasnot yet been peer-reviewed,suggests that the greatest number of infections could be prevented by prioritizing vaccines to bigger cities with larger networks of communities at risk, the highest epidemic potential and largest number of initial cases.

Knight notes these results do not mean that areas outside of big cities should not receive vaccines, but rather they provide guidance on how to maximize immediate impact early in an epidemic of an extremely limited supply until more doses become available. Indeed, while Ontarios vaccination efforts initially centred on Toronto, they soon expanded to areas outside the city.

Darrell Tan and Sharmistha Mishra

The preliminaryfindings were co-authored by Knights academic supervisorSharmistha Mishraand collaboratorDarrell Tan, both clinician-researchers atSt. Michaels Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and associate professors in U of Ts Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Mishra and Tan are also co-leads of EPICs monkeypox rapid research response. EPIC is one of several U of T institutional strategic initiatives.

For their study, the researchers built a mathematical model that simulated the potential transmission of monkeypox virus in the context of sexual networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The model reflects two interconnected sexual networks that can be thought of as communities within two cities one larger network like in Toronto and a smaller network in a medium-sized Ontario city and simulated the roll-out of 5,000 vaccine doses starting two months after the first case of monkeypox.

The team tested scenarios in which they changed the relative population size in each network (i.e., city), the interconnectedness between the two sexual networks (sex among individuals between cities), epidemic potential of the virus in each cityand the distribution of initial imported cases across cities.

A citys epidemic potential reflects how likely a person carrying the virus is to pass it on to othersby taking into account the density and configuration of the sexual network, access to prevention and careand the underlying social and structural contexts that shape sexual networks and shape access.

Early insights from these analyses helped inform vaccine prioritization by health units across Ontario, which to date has centred on community-based organizations, service providers, health unitsand public health teams at every level working together to mobilize access and deliver vaccines to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men who may be most at risk of infection, said Mishra.

From the start, Mishra said, community leadership has been at the forefront of the response, including the science with modeling questions, inputs, interpretationand application shaped by communities and the public health actors working to serve communities.

Knight hopes that this work will also have an impact on how vaccines are deployed globally.

Given our increasingly connected world, our findings really highlight the importance of global vaccine equity in responding to outbreaks, and also in preventing them in the first place," he said.

Vaccines can help break chains of transmission when deployed strategically, but another opportunity to stop transmission is in the environment where people infected with the virus may shed it onto surfaces and objects.

We knew very little about fomite [surface] transmission of monkeypox prior to this outbreak, saidChristopher Kandel, an infectious disease physician atMichael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network, and assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicinesdepartment of medicine.

To study the risk of environmental transmission of monkeypox, Kandel andSharon Sukhdeo, aninfectious diseasesresident at U of T, teamed up with EPIC faculty membersAllison McGeer, who is atMount Sinai Hospital and is a professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health,Adrienne Chan, who is atSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and is an associate professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health,andMatthew Muller, who is atSt. Michaels Hospital and is an associate professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and at IHPME.

For the first part of their study, the team swabbed a mixture of high- and low-touch surfaces in hospital exam rooms where patients with monkeypox had received care. They tested the same surfaces again after the rooms had been cleaned.

Their preliminary results showed detectable levels of monkeypox DNA on many high-touch and a few low-touch surfaces. Encouragingly, the researchers could not detect the virus on the majority of surfaces after cleaning. Where they did detect the virus after cleaning, levels were significantly reduced.

Kandel notes that while they were able to detect monkeypox DNA, their methods cant determine whether the detected virus was infectious.

As a next step, the researchers will expand their study to look at environmental transmission within households. They will ask people who are self-isolating with monkeypox to swab objects and surfaces in their home at different timepoints, which will provide insight into how long an infected person sheds the virus and whether common at-home cleaning products can effectively disinfect contaminated surfaces.

There are so many questions that need to be answered, said Kandel. With these studies, well have a much better understanding of monkeypox transmission, including how infectious people are and how long isolation should last to best protect others.

The rest is here:

Monkeypox studies suggest ways to reduce viral spread - University of Toronto

Austin City Limits Music Festival kicks off this weekend, and people are excited to dance, drink and watch their favorite artists perform. But with many attendees traveling from out of town and possible skin-to-skin contact in the crowds, some might be wondering if the festival will worsen the spread of monkeypox.

As of Sept. 30, Travis County has had 186 confirmed cases. Texas has reported the fourth highest number of monkeypox cases in the U.S. since the outbreak began earlier this year. Nationally, though, cases have been on the decline since late August.

Dr. Michael Stefanowiczs, associate director of sexual health programs at CommUnityCare Health Centers and a UT Dell Medical School assistant professor, said health care professionals havent seen any outbreaks of monkeypox associated with large public gatherings, but he can understand why people may feel anxious.

Large gatherings, or superspreader events, worsened and prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Stefanowiczs said, in the U.S., monkeypox is mostly spreading through sexual contact.

For ACL and other large-scale events, it is not no-risk, but it is categorically low-risk, Stefanowiczs said.

Stefanowiczs said ACL attendees are more likely to contract COVID-19 at this years festival than monkeypox. And the good news is more than 82% of people in Travis County have received at least one coronavirus vaccine.

We have the tools that we need to mitigate and reduce risk, and those tools include knowledge, he said.

Monkeypox is spread through close contact with an infected person, or by touching clothing or linens that were in contact with the infected persons rash or body fluids, according to Austin Public Health. Symptoms include high fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, headaches, chills and a pimple or blister-like rash.

APH recommends limiting skin-to-skin contact with strangers and avoiding direct contact with monkeypox rashes and scabs and body fluids from a person with monkeypox.

Stefanowiczs urges people to be proactive if they experience any symptoms and to isolate at home as soon as possible to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.

The sooner you isolate, the lower the risk of exposing others, he said. And thats true whether your symptoms are concerning monkeypox, COVID-19 or the flu.

Stefanowiczs said these are all vaccine-preventable illnesses and encourages all those who are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as well as the monkeypox JYNNEOS vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available at local doctor's offices, pharmacies and clinics. You can find a vaccine provider near you at Vaccines.gov.

Monkeypox vaccines are available to those who are at high risk of developing infection. You can check your eligibility for a vaccine and schedule an appointment here.

Follow this link:

Should we be concerned about monkeypox at ACL? - KUT

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

If you've gotten vaccinated for monkeypox, you may befamiliar with "the lump."

Ever since the viral outbreak reached the U.S. this summer, many people have taken to social media to report side effects of the Jynneos vaccine, which can be injected intradermally (into the skin) or throughthe more traditional subcutaneous method (below the skin).

One common complaintis a red bumpat the injection sitelasting for two to three weeks, if notlonger. But experts reassure that it's nota "weird" or "permanent" reaction.

A temporary lump on your armis normal forany vaccination,but "it is particularly expected with the Jynneos vaccine," says Anthony Fortenberry, chief nursing officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. "This is a super common side effect."

Why feds are urging intradermal vaccination: FDA allows new delivery of monkeypox vaccine to make more doses available

Monkeypox is spreading through sexbut it's not an STI. Why calling it one is a problem.

Induration, or an area of hardness at the injection site, is part of the body's immune response to vaccines.

"The body recognizes the viral material as foreign and sends immune cells to react against it,"says Dr. AdityaChandorkar, an assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota. "One of the consequences of this reaction (is) some degree of local reaction, leading to a lump/swelling.

"Its important to note that the presence or absence of the swelling is not a marker for how well the person is going to be protected by the vaccine."

Some people have reported tenderness, itching, pain or bruising on or around the lump. "That generally does resolve on its own," Fortenberry says. "You do want to avoid scratching it because that can cause further inflammation, delay healingand also cause infection, so you want to be cautious. And if it's causing pain, the recommendations are over-the-counter Tylenol or Motrin" to help with inflammation.

Jonathan Van Nesssays 'botched' monkeypox response 'fueled by homophobia and transphobia'

"Having a large, painless lump at the site of the injection is fairly common," Chandorkar says. "The original (Jynneos) vaccine studies reported some degree of local swelling in over half of the people who received the vaccine." Anecdotally, "most people have reported the lump going away after a week to two weeks. In almost all cases, the lump should go away by itself, and people should not need to see their physician."

If the bump is still present after more than two weeks, that's no cause for alarm. In fact, it's "really common," Fortenberry says, and should not deter people from receiving their second Jynennos dose four weeks after the first.

"So many people are having inflammation at the site for many weeks," Fortenberrysays. "For inflammation to occur for up to four weeks is such an expected side effect that clinical guidance (at vaccination sites) addresses that, by asking nurses to administer the shoton the other arm."

"Other side effects include muscle pain, headache, fatigue and nausea," Chandorkar says. "Although fevers and chills are reported, they are not the norm. They are only seen in 1% to 10% of patients."

The Jynneos vaccine produces side effects that"are comparable to most other vaccines," he adds. "(Reactionsare) generally far milder than what some experienced with the COVID-19 vaccines."

You should speak to a medical professional ifyou experiencefevers or chills for more than one to two days after getting the Jynneos vaccine,says Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

As for the lump, "if the pain becomes problematic, or if you see the redness worsen or spreading, including streaks of redness, you should contact your doctor," Hotez says.

Fortenberry stresses that severe adverse reactions to the Jynneos vaccine are "extremely rare," but you should call 911 immediately if you experiencedifficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or throat, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness after getting vaccinated.

Although side effects such asthe lump might seem like a nuisance, they're much better than the alternative of getting monkeypox, which is an extremely painful infection with symptomsthat can lasttwo to fourweeks andrequiresquarantine.

"The best way to ensure you won't become infected is to get vaccinated," Hotez says. "Monkeypox, although rarely fatal, is a serious and debilitating infectious disease, and could require hospitalization."

And if you have any fears of potential side effects, don't hesitate to discuss them with medical personnel at your vaccination site.

"They have all the information necessary to provide reassurance and make sure everyone has very clear expectations around the vaccine," Fortenberry says. "We encourage everyone to complete their vaccine series if they're eligible for a second dose. Don't let side effects prohibit you from going back for your second dose and getting full immunity.It's super important to err on the side of reaching out to a medical provider if you have questions or concerns that's what we're here for.

"You don't have to manage this on your own with the internet."

View original post here:

Monkeypox vaccine side effects: What's that lump and should you worry?