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Mpox vaccination appointments are available for eligible residents at Toronto Public Health clinics (appointments added regularly) or through walk-ins at The 519 Community Centre on select days. You can also contact your 2SLGBTQ+ sexual health care provider.
The World Health Organization recently declared the increase of mpox cases in Africa a public health emergency of international concern. While Toronto is seeing a rise in cases, the strain circulating in Toronto is different from the one recently detected in Africa. The risk remains low for serious illness due to the strain circulating locally. The mpox vaccine is not available to travellers unless they meet eligibility criteria.
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus (also known as MPXV). Mpox causes symptoms similar to smallpox but is less severe. It is usually spread by close/intimate or sexual contact with someone who has the virus or contact with surfaces/materials that have been contaminated with virus. While most people recover quickly, some can become very sick.
Getting two doses of the mpox vaccine gives the best protection from the virus.
Mpox can spread from person to person through:
Someone with mpox can pass on the virus when they develop a skin rash or sores, but it may also spread when they have early symptoms including fever and headache. Recent evidence suggests that some people can spread the virus up to four days before symptoms begin.
Mpox can also be spread from someone who is pregnant to the fetus or from a parent to a child during or after birth.
Symptoms usually start within six to 13 days after being exposed to mpox but can start anywhere from five to 21 days after exposure. Most people recover from mpox on their own within two to four weeks.
Symptoms include:
Mpox is diagnosed by a health care provider, based on symptoms and a laboratory test.
If you think you have mpox, it is important to take precaution measures and/or isolate right away and contact a health care provider for advice on testing and medical care. For more information on precaution measures and how to self-isolate, visit the Mpox: Self-Isolation Guidance webpage.
You can get tested for mpox at health care provider offices, local walk-in clinics or at sexual health clinics. Call in advance to make sure that mpox testing is available and tell them if you have had contact with a person with mpox.
Toronto Public Health will contact and give guidance to people who test positive for mpox as well as known close contacts of someone who tests positive.
People who have been in contact with a person who has mpox may be recommended to get post-exposure vaccination. They should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, they should contact a health care provider.
The Imvamune® vaccine is approved in Canada for protection against mpox. The vaccine:
*The second vaccine dose is a full dose exactly like the first.
A CDC study showed that:
The study recommends that eligible people should get two doses of the mpox vaccine for the best protection.
The vaccine may cause some side effects. Most are mild to moderate, and do not last longer than seven days. Common side effects include:
Individuals who are allergic or hypersensitive to any vaccine ingredient should speak with a healthcare provider before getting the vaccine. Learn more about the list of vaccine ingredients.
Imvamune® may contain trace amounts of antibiotics (gentamicin and ciprofloxacin) and egg products. People with known hypersensitivity to these products are still able to safely get the vaccine but should be monitored for an extra 15 minutes (30 minutes total) after getting vaccinated.
Contact a health care provider or go to the nearest emergency department if you have any of these symptoms after getting the vaccine:
An AEFI is an unexpected reaction or event after getting a vaccine. If you think you are experiencing an AEFI, contact a health care provider. To learn more about AEFIs and how they are reported, visit the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) webpage.
Toronto Public Health continues to follow federal and provincial guidance on the administration of Imvamune® vaccines to protect at-risk populations against the mpox virus.
Based on Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, two vaccine doses, given at least 28 days apart, are available to eligible groups. Two doses of the vaccine provide the best protection. Booster doses are not currently recommended.
The vaccine is free and available to all eligible people. No ID or OHIP required. If you have questions about your eligibility for vaccination, contact a health care provider or Toronto Public Health.
Wait to get vaccinated if you have any symptoms of sickness and/or you are required to self-isolate.
Household contacts of people who are eligible for pre-exposure vaccination listed above AND who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) or are pregnant may be at higher risk for severe illness from a mpox infection. These individuals may be considered for pre-exposure vaccination and should contact a health care provider or Toronto Public Health for more information.
If you are eligible to get Imvamune® as pre- or post-exposure vaccination and already got a smallpox vaccine (either an older generation replicating (live) smallpox vaccine or Imvamune®) in the past, you should still get vaccinated for mpox with two doses as you may not be protected.
Research laboratory employees working directly with replicating orthopoxviruses are eligible to receive two doses of Imvamune, 28 days apart. These individuals may be offered an additional dose after 2 years if they remain at risk of occupational exposure.
If you think you have mpox, contact a health care provider.
The vaccine is not used as a treatment if you already have mpox. At this time, people who have or had mpox are not eligible for the vaccine.
Imvamune® vaccination can be given on the same day or at any time before or after other vaccines.
Eligible residents are encouraged to start or complete the two-dose vaccination series for the best protection (booster doses not currently recommended).
The mpox vaccine is not available to travellers unless they meet eligibility criteria.
Get vaccinated at a Toronto Public Health clinic (appointments added regularly) by appointment only. You do not need to have an Ontario Health Card or health insurance to be given this vaccine at Toronto Public Health vaccination clinics.
Individuals who require post-exposure vaccination should contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658) or publichealth@toronto.ca, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Service available in multiple languages.
Document Image | Description | Translations |
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Prevent the Spread of Mpox Poster | Download the Prevent the Spread of Mpox Poster | |
Mpox Self-Screening Poster | Download the Help Stop the Spread of Mpox Poster | |
Mpox Stigma & Discrimination | Download the Mpox Stigma & Discrimination Poster |