Toronto hosting free mpox vaccination clinics. Here’s where they are being held – Toronto Star

Toronto Public Health will begin hosting a series of clinics to provide "low-barrier, convenient and equitable access" to mpox vaccinations on Wednesday.

According to TPH, 21 cases of mpox have been confirmed in Toronto since the start of this year, compared with a total of 27 cases for all of 2023.

The city is encouraging eligible residents to get vaccinated against the virus.

The first clinic on Wednesday will be available for walk-in appointments only, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The 519, a community centre at 519 Church Street.

The second clinic will run on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at . This clinic will not accept walk-ins and eligible residents will need to book appointments using TPHs online booking system.

The city will announce additional clinic locations, dates, and times on their website as they become available.

Additionally, eligible residents can receive the vaccine by appointment at the Crosswaysand Scarborough Sexual Health Clinics.

The vaccine is free of charge, and an OHIP card is not required. Residents can also inquire about vaccine availability where they currently access sexual healthcare services, according to TPH.

The public health unit said the virus has recently spread mostly between people who have had intimate or sexual contact, with men who have sex with men being the most affected.

The virus spreads through contact with infected lesions, skin blisters, body fluids or respiratory secretions.

Symptoms can start five to 21 days after exposure and include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and a rash or blisters and lesions on the skin.

Individuals who are members of the LGBTQ+ community who had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection, have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners, or have attended venues for sexual contact such as sex clubs are among those eligible to receive the mpox vaccine.

Eligible individuals who have not been vaccinated against mpox are encouraged to get their first dose of the vaccine as soon as possible, with a second dose given at least 28 days later, TPH said, adding that individuals planning to travel soon are encouraged to get vaccinated before leaving, as cases are being reported in various regions around the world. They say, the vaccine becomes most effective after two weeks.

The monkeypox disease comes from the same family of viruses that cause smallpox, which the World Health Organization declared eradicated around the globe in 1980. Smallpox vaccines have proven effective in combating the monkeypox virus.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Toronto hosting free mpox vaccination clinics. Here's where they are being held - Toronto Star