Niagara Region Public Health hosting monkeypox vaccination clinics

​Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) is hosting monkeypox vaccination clinics for high-risk community members from Aug. 2 to Aug.4, 2022. Clinics will operate by appointment only at Niagara Region Sexual Health centers.

• Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 – Welland Sexual Health Center
• Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 – Niagara Falls Sexual Health Center
• Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 – St. Catharines Sexual Health Center

Earlier this week NRPH reported the first confirmed case of monkeypox virus in a Niagara resident. NRPH is following federal and provincial guidance on the administration of Imvamune vaccines to protect individuals who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, those with high-risk contacts, and those who have a higher risk of being exposed to the virus.

Based on Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, NRPH will offer vaccines to

• men (trans- and cis-gender) and other masculine-identifying people, 18 years of age or older, who belong to the community of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and meet one or more of the following:​​
• • ​​​Have been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis infection over the past two months
  • Have had two or more sexual partners in the past three weeks (21 days) or may be planning to
  • Have had anonymous or casual sex or are planning to; for example using an online dating app
  • Have attended a bathhouse or sex club or are planning to, or work/ volunteer in these settings
  • Engaged in sex work or are planning to, or are a partner of a sex worker
• ​​​female (trans- and cis-gender) sex workers