The Imvamune® vaccine is available pre-exposure to:

1. any individuals who self-identify as men or as two-spirit who have sex with another person who identifies as a man, including but not limited to: individuals who self-identify as trans-gender, cis-gender, two spirit, gender-queer, intersex and non-binary who also identify as gay, bisexual or pansexual or who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND meet at least one of the following criteria:
   
   
   • Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection within the last year
   • Have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners or are in a relationship where at least one of the partners has other sexual partners
   • Have recently attended or may attend venues for sexual contact (i.e. bath houses, sex clubs)
   • Work/volunteer or may be planning to work/volunteer in a venue for sexual contact
   • Have had anonymous sex recently or may be planning to
   • Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work
   • And the vaccine is available to individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or who are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender
     
     
2. Individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender.
   
   Some household and sexual contacts of the two above groups may also qualify for vaccine if they have certain medical conditions. Algoma Public Health will assess for those who may be at risk
   
   If you meet any of the above criteria and would like to receive the Mpox vaccine, please call Algoma Public Health at 705-759-5409 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM) or fill out the Contact Us form. The Public Health team will take your information and you will be contacted and asked to attend a clinic where you can receive the vaccine.

The Imvamune® vaccine is available after an exposure based on a risk assessment by Algoma Public Health. If you believe you have been exposed to or had close contact to someone with Mpox, please contact Algoma Public Health at is 705-942-4646 ext. 3274  to find out if the vaccine is recommended.

If you think you have Mpox, isolate right away and contact a health care provider. Do not visit any Mpox vaccination clinics. Individuals with signs or symptoms of Mpox infection should not receive the vaccine as the vaccine is not indicated in the treatment of Mpox infection.

The vaccine may cause some side effects. Most are mild to moderate, and do not last longer than seven days. Common side effects include:

• Redness, pain or swelling at the injection site
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
  
  

Contact a health care provider or go to the nearest emergency department if you have any of these symptoms after getting the vaccine:

• Hives
• Swelling of the face or mouth
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or a pounding heart

A full list of ingredients in the Imvamune® Vaccine can be found here. Individuals who are allergic or hypertensive to any vaccine ingredient should speak with a healthcare provider before getting the vaccine.

Imvamune® may contain trace amounts of antibiotics (gentamicin and ciprofloxacin) and egg products which are used during the vaccine production process. 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.

Vaccine Monitoring & Safety

An Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) is any time you feel unwell more than what you were told to expect after getting a vaccine. If you think you are experiencing an AEFI, contact a health care provider.

Your health care provider will report the AEFI to Algoma Public Health. Algoma Public Health will help to investigate any AEFI. All AEFIs are also reported to the Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to make sure that vaccines continue to be safe.

In the current outbreak, monkeypox is primarily being spread from person-to-person through close, physical contact with someone who has monkeypox (especially from contact with the rash, bodily fluids, and/or scabs).

Much less commonly, monkeypox can also spread by touching materials and objects (e.g. clothing, bedding, towels, eating utensils, and dishes) that have been contaminated.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of Mpox for 21 days from the day of your last exposure to the person with suspected or confirmed Mpox. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms of Mpox.

Consider wearing a mask (medical mask preferred) when you are in indoors with other people.
Algoma Public Health will work to identify and notify close contacts of a person with Mpox and may:

• Advise you to avoid non-essential interactions with people at higher risk of severe Mpox illness.
• Advise you on whether Imvamune® vaccine may help prevent Mpox infection or reduce the risk of severe illness.

Avoid close contact with others until you have seen a healthcare provider and receive results of your testing information from your local public health unit about when to end isolation. If you do test positive for Mpox, Public Health will contact you with further advice. If possible, stay in a separate room or area away from other people in the home and use a separate bathroom.

• As a precaution, wear a medical mask when you are around others.
• If possible, cover any rashes or sores when you are unable to avoid close contact with other people.

Symptoms usually go away on their own without the need for any treatment. In specific rare situations, your healthcare provider may recommend a medication for Mpox.

Supportive care for managing symptoms includes:

• Letting the rash dry or covering the rash with a moist dressing to protect the area, if needed.
• Avoiding touching any sores in the mouth or eyes. If needed, mouth rinse or eye drops can be used, but products containing cortisone should be avoided.