Mpox and Imvamune Vaccine

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a rare viral illness that causes fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and lethargy, followed by the development of a rash over a person’s body (see Mpox Fact Sheet for more). Anyone with close personal contact with a person with mpox could be at risk. Most people recover on their own without treatment within a few weeks. However, some cases may be serious.

How mpox spreads

Mpox can spread from person-to-person through close contact including sexual contact, with an infected person’s skin, bodily fluids, mucosal surfaces (including eyes, nose and mouth), and contaminated objects, such as sex toys, or shared personal items, such as clothing, linens, bedding, towels, toothbrushes, and utensils.

Anyone can get infected and spread mpox if they come into close contact with someone who has the virus, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and race.

While most cases reported in Canada in this outbreak are currently among gay and bisexual men, mpox is not exclusive to any group or setting. When it comes to talking about any infectious disease, stigmatization can lead to a misunderstanding of risks and negative health outcomes.

Symptoms and exposure

  • If you think you have mpox and have symptoms, self-isolate and contact a healthcare provider right away.
  • If you have had contact with a known or suspected case of mpox, contact WDG Public Health at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.

Vaccine and eligibility

Vaccine

Imvamune® vaccine is approved in Canada for protection against smallpox, mpox and other orthopoxvirus-related illnesses. The vaccine contains weakened virus and cannot make you sick. Based on Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, the vaccine is for eligible people as a two-dose series, with at least 28 days between first and second doses.

Eligibility

A vaccine is available for individuals with high-risk exposures or within a setting or community where transmission is happening. WDG Public Health continues to follow federal and provincial guidance on the administration of Imvamune® vaccine to protect at-risk populations against the mpox virus. Based on Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, eligibility includes:

  1. Two-Spirit, non-binary, transgender, cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND who meet one or more of the following:
    • have more than one partner
    • are in a relationship where at least one of the partners has other sexual partners
    • have had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection within the last year
    • have attended venues for sexual contact (for example, bath houses, sex clubs)
    • have had anonymous sex recently (for example, using hookup apps)
  2. Sexual partners of individuals who meet the criteria above.
  3. Sex workers (regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation) or who are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.
  4. Staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with surfaces or objects that may be contaminated with mpox.
  5. Individuals who engage in sex tourism (regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation).
  6. Individuals who anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios.
  7. Household contacts of those identified for pre-exposure vaccination eligibility above who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or who are pregnant may be at higher risk for severe illness from mpox infection and may be considered for pre-exposure vaccination. Individuals who meet this criteria should contact their health care provider, or WDG Public Health for more information.​

Booking an appointment

To book an appointment to get vaccinated or to inquire about eligibility, please contact our Client and Community Call Centre at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.

Resources

You can contact our Client and Community Support Call Centre at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 if you have questions about mpox, or visit:

If you’re in crisis, or need urgent medical support, call 911.