Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is opening monkeypox vaccine clinics and has started offering shots to people who are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
During the Ottawa Board of Health meeting on Monday, June 20, Dr. Vera Etches, Ottawa's medical officer of health noted that OPH received 100 doses over the weekend.
Dr. Etches said she expects that number will increase once people become aware and there is more vaccine supply.
"As people identify that they are eligible, we will increase the opportunities for vaccination," she said.
OPH reported the first positive case of monkeypox in Ottawa on June 10. That person has since recovered and the health unit has followed up with close contacts, Dr. Etches.
"Addressing risk of monkeypox is in post exposure, so vaccination is being given to contacts of somebody who has tested positive," she said.
The AIDS Committee of Ottawa is set to host an information session about monkeypox on Thursday, June 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to answer questions regarding monkeypox.
So far, OPH has one confirmed case of the virus and two suspected cases it is investigating.
The most commonly reported symptoms include rash, oral/genital lesions, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, chills, myalgia and fatigue.
Infectious disease specialists say the LGBTQ community, particularly men who have sex with men, are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
