Smallpox vaccination program grows rapidly in Ottawa

Public health officials in Ottawa are ramping up a vaccination program to limit the spread of the mpox virus, with signs that the first infections have begun quickly.

After announcing on Saturday that 36 spots had opened for vaccinations against the virus that causes the infectious disease formerly known as monkeypox, the Centretown Health Clinic MAX Ottawa reported Monday that it is fully booked and is exploring ways to expand the program.

The Ottawa Public Health (OPH) Sexual Health Clinic on Clarence Street also offers vaccination against mpox. Eligibility criteria can be found on the OPH website.

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of mpox a public health emergency of international concernIt came a day after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared a public health emergency.

Mpox can cause painful rashes and lesions and in some cases serious illness or death.

Dangerous new strain

Family physician and clinical researcher Iris Gorinfinkel said the changing nature of the virus raises particular concerns.

“Last year, the disease was much milder, with about one in every 500 people infected dying,” said Gorinfinkel, who practices in Toronto.

She said the ongoing violence in Congo has forced millions of people to flee their homes and live in overcrowded camps, accelerating the spread of the virus, with one in 30 infected people now dying.

The deadly new strain, clade 1b, has now been found in other African countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Burundi. Gorinfinkel said children are particularly at risk.

“It affects children. Three out of five cases are under 15,” she said. “We’re talking about babies, some as young as two weeks old, so it spreads much faster.”

According to the Public Health Agency of Canadathe latest variant of the virus has not yet reached our country.

5 cases confirmed locally

As of Sunday, OPH had confirmed five local cases this year, the most recent in May. In April, OPH issued a warning about the spread of the virus in Ontario.

“While five cases of mpox infection so far this year do not represent a statistically significant increase, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is closely monitoring the situation and encourages people at risk to get vaccinated,” the public health department said.

The WHO declared an international emergency in the summer of 2022 that would last for about 10 months, around the time the virus was first identified in Canada.

According to Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, anyone who has received one dose of the mpox vaccine can receive a second dose 28 days later. The guidelines state that anyone can become infected and spread mpox if they come into close contact with someone who has the virus, regardless of sex, race, gender or sexual orientation.

Rapid adoption shows ‘community is paying attention’

“I think this is a great example of our community paying attention to our health. The community’s quick response shows that people are willing to take action to keep each other safe,” said Adam Awad, CEO of MAX Ottawa.

Vaccinations at the Cooper Street Health Center begin Tuesday. Awad said the vaccination effort is a good example of local action in preparation for a global public health crisis.

“If we think we only have to worry about what happens in our own neighborhood, we actually live in a global world,” he said.

Awad said MAX Ottawa is in discussions with OPH about getting more vaccines and opening up more slots. For now, anyone who wants to book a vaccination should contact OPH.