Monkeypox virus

Commons signs and symptoms

• Fever 

• Chills

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Exhaustion 

• Swollen lymph nodes 

• New rash or lesions--(usually appears a few days after other symptoms on the faceand the extremities.) 

The incubation period (time between exposure/ infection and when symptoms begin) is typically six to 13 days, and can be up to 21 days. 

Monkeypox infection can appear similar to other infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, or several sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes or gonorrhea). This is why it's important to consult a health care provider and be tested.

If you think that you may have the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, and or are a close contact of someone who has confirmed monkeypox, please contact your health care provider for an assessment as soon as possible. Limit your contact with others and self-isolate.  

Most transmission of monkeypox in Canada has occurred between close contacts like intimate partners or household members.

Think you may have been exposed to monkeypox?

If you think you may have come in contact with someone who has symptoms of monkeypox, you should monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days and contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 for further assessment to see if post exposure prophylaxis, or vaccination, is recommended.

If no symptoms appear after 21 days, you can continue with normal activities. If symptoms develop, you should self-isolate immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

What to do if you have been tested for monkeypox

If you have been tested for monkeypox, it is important to self-isolate at home until you receive negative test results. Ottawa Public Health will follow up with you if your test result is positive and advise on next steps.

If you test positive for monkeypox you should self-isolate at home until lesion scabs have fallen off and new intact skin has formed below. This recovery period typically takes two to four weeks.

If you have been tested for monkeypox or are experiencing symptoms you should:

• Not attend work, school, or public areas

• Stay in a separate room or area away from other household members 

• Use a separate bathroom if available, including using separate towels

• If unable to separate from household members you should:

• Wear a medical mask

• Cover skin lesions as much as possible (e.g., long sleeves, long pants)

• Maintain a physical distance of at least two meters from others

• Avoid sexual contact

• Avoid leaving the home unless seeking urgent medical care

• Avoid household visitors

• Avoid contact with those at higher risk of severe monkeypox illness including people who are immunosuppressed or pregnant, and/or children under 12 years of age

• Avoid contact with animals, including household pets as the virus can be spread to animals.

  • Keep your pets in the home and if possible, ask someone else in the home who is not sick to care for the pet.
  • Avoid close contact or prolonged contact with pets including touching, snuggling and kissing.
  • If having to care for the pet, you should wear a mask and wash hands with soap and water immediately before and after touching pets, their food, or supplies. If lesions are present on the hands, wear disposable gloves.

How to prevent the spread of monkeypox

To lower your overall risk of getting infected with and spreading the monkeypox virus, we recommend to:

• Get vaccinated for monkeypox if eligible
• Use condoms
• Practice safe sex and having fewer sexual partners, particularly those who are anonymous, even when they don't have symptoms

• Follow good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone who has or may have monkeypox. 
• Avoid skin to skin contact with monkeypox rashes or lesions.
• Avoid sharing objects such as toothbrushes, utensils, sex toys or drug equipment.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces (such as door handles and phones).
• Avoid touching bedding and laundry that has been in contact with a person or animal that may have the virus.
• Avoid contact with sick or dead animals
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for someone at home who has the virus, including a medical mask and disposable gloves for direct contact with lesions. 

What is the monkeypox vaccine (Imvamune®)?

Imvamune® is a vaccine that helps protect against monkeypox infection. Imvamune® is a live, non-replicating vaccine. The vaccine contains a very weakened form of a virus similar to the one that causes monkeypox and cannot make you sick. When a person is given the vaccine, the immune system will produce its own protection in the form of antibodies against the virus.

Who is eligible for the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine

At this time, one dose of the monkeypox vaccine (Imvamune®) can be given to eligible persons as per the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines. A single dose is expected to provide reasonable protection by 2-4 weeks following vaccination. A second dose produces slightly higher response and may provide longer-lasting protection. Monitor for changes to the Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations and eligibility and register for a second dose if you become eligible.

Imvamune® can be used to protect individuals before an exposure to the monkeypox virus (this is called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP) or to protect individuals after being exposed to the monkeypox virus (this is called Post-Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP).

Imvamune® vaccine eligibility for protection before an exposure to the monkeypox virus

Based on the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, the following groups are eligible for an Imvamune® vaccine for protection before an exposure to monkeypox if they meet one of the following criteria :

a) Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:

• Have received a diagnosis of bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past 2 months;
• Have had 2 or more sexual partners or may be planning to;
• Have attended venues for sexual contact (i.e., bath houses, sex clubs) or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings; or
• Have had anonymous sex (e.g., using hookup apps) or may be planning to; and/or
• Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.

b) Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to.

Imvamune® vaccine eligibility after being exposed to the monkeypox virus

Based on the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, individuals who have been identified by their local public health unit as having a high or intermediate-risk exposure with someone who has the monkeypox virus are eligible to receive Imvamune®. These individuals will be contacted directly by their local public health unit. 

Book a vaccine and view clinic locations

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccine for monkeypox

⚠ Please verify that you are eligible for the vaccine before booking a monkeypox vaccine

• You can also book an appointment by telephone at 613-580-6744.

Cancel your appointment

• If you have signs and symptoms of monkeypox infection, please do NOT attend your appointment at an Imvamune® vaccine clinic. See above for recommendations if you think you are symptomatic.

Clinic locations:

• Centretown CHC - 420 Cooper Street, Ottawa

  • Book an appointment to reserve your vaccine and see clinic times. 

  • This clinic also has a very limited availability for drop-in appointments. 

• OPH Sexual Health Clinic - 179 Clarence Street, Ottawa
  • Book an appointment to reserve your vaccine and see clinic times.
  • This clinic also has a very limited availability for drop-in appointments. 
  • All clients that are eligible for the vaccine who have an appointment at the OPH Sexual Health Clinic for other health concerns will also be offered the vaccine as part of their visit.
• Max Ottawa - 400 Cooper street Suite 9004, Ottawa
  • This clinic does not offer drop-in appointments. 
  • Book an appointment to reserve your vaccine and see clinic times.

• The PrEP Clinic - ACO Building 19 Main Street, Ottawa
  • This clinic does not offer drop-in appointments. 

  • Please book an appointment by calling 613-213-5030. 

  • Upcoming vaccine clinic dates and times:

    • Monday August 15, 2022: 5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Who should not receive the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine?

Anyone who does not meet the current eligibility criteria outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Health is not eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine.

People with signs and symptoms of Monkeypox infection should NOT receive the Imvamune monkeypox vaccine as it is not intended for the treatment of Monkeypox. Do not attend an Imvamune clinic if you have symptoms.

People who have a confirmed allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients or its container are not eligible for the monkeypox vaccine. Ingredients of the Imvamune® vaccine are:

• Tromethamine (trometamol, Tris)

• Sodium chloride

• Water for injection

• Hydrochloric acid

• Bromobutyl rubber stopper

Imvamune® may also contain trace amounts of:

• Gentamicin

• Ciprofloxacin

• Egg cell DNA and protein

• Benzonase

If you have an allergy to eggs, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, or an antibiotic in the same class as gentamicin (aminoglycosides) or ciprofloxacin (quinolones), please call 613-580-6744 for more information about eligibility for Imvamune®.

For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, it is currently recommended that people wait at least four weeks after receiving a live vaccine and at least two weeks after receiving an inactivated vaccine before receiving the monkeypox vaccine.

How can I access the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine if I am eligible?

If you have been identified as a high risk contact or an intermediate risk contact of a confirmed or probable case of monkeypox, you will be contacted by Ottawa Public Health directly and may be offered an appointment to receive the monkeypox vaccine for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

If you are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Ottawa Public Health may contact you directly to offer an appointment, or you can use the online appointment booking page or call 613-580-6744 to book an appointment to receive the monkeypox vaccine.

What should I expect after I receive the vaccine?

Side effects may develop in the few days after receiving the vaccine. Although most of these side effects are not serious to your health, they may make you feel unwell for a few days. The side effects should go away on their own.

Common side effects of Imvamune® include pain, swelling, redness and itchiness at the injection site where the needle was given. Applying a cool, damp cloth where the vaccine was given may help with pain and swelling.

Other common side effects can include fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, loss of appetite, joint pain, chills and fever. If needed, pain or fever medication (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may help.

People who have atopic dermatitis (eczema) may experience more side effects than others and may also experience a flare-up or worsening of their condition.

If you develop any serious signs or symptoms that could be an allergic reaction within four hours of being vaccinated, call 9-1-1 right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Swelling of the face, tongue or throat
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy)

You should also seek medical attention right away if you develop any symptoms that could be related to your heart such as chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.

If you have concerns about the symptoms you develop after receiving the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. Any adverse events following vaccination should be reported to your local public health unit.

Is the vaccine safe and effective?

Yes, Imvamune® is safe to receive. At this time, Ontario is using a single dose approach for Imvamune®. A single dose is expected to provide reasonable protection by 2 to 4 weeks following vaccination. A second dose produces a slightly higher response and may provide longer-lasting protection. Monitor for changes to the Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations and eligibility and return for a second dose if you become eligible. If you received another vaccination in the past 4 weeks, please let your health care provider know before getting Imvamune®. If you are less than 18 years of age, pregnant, breastfeeding, or are immunocompromised you should speak to your health care provider. Your health care provider will review the risks and benefits of receiving the monkeypox vaccine.