Quebec to start vaccinating against monkeypox as cases climb to 25

 

 

Following the discovery of 25 cases of monkeypox in the Montreal area, Quebec has decided to battle the disease by injecting certain people with a smallpox vaccine.

 

On Thursday, Quebec’s public health director, Dr. Luc Boileau, said the vaccine will be given to those who are most at risk of contracting monkeypox, such as those who have come into contact with proven cases. While the smallpox vaccination hasn’t been widely available in Canada for some time, scientists believe that if given within four days of contact, it has a decent chance of avoiding illness.

Residents who are eligible for the smallpox vaccine will receive it as early as Friday.

 

While 14 instances of monkeypox have been linked to Montreal, the city’s surrounding area has been related to all 25 cases in Quebec. There are also additional 20-30 instances being investigated right now.

Don’t get too fired up if you’re scared this may turn into another COVID-style situation. While monkeypox is a deadly illness, Bolieau claims that it isn’t ravaging the community in the same manner as COVID-19 has, and that he doesn’t expect a large number of cases. In addition, unlike COVID, the virus requires intimate and sustained contact to propagate, making it less likely to be caught.