Toronto’s deputy medical officer of health, Dr. Rita Shahin, adds that the city is looking to increase the capacity of vaccination centers in the meantime, in order to reduce wait times.
It indicates that the center at Metro Lobby in particular already has more staff than before to meet demand.
” We also want to find ways with our partners to reach out to marginalized communities within the community. LGBTQ+including people of colour, Indigenous people and those with disabilities. »
Health authorities warn that monkeypox can strike anyone, but the gay community has been particularly hard hit by outbreaks in recent months in Canada.
There is no cure for the disease, but the smallpox vaccine helps prevent transmission of the virus.
Dr. Shahin says Toronto administered more than 2,000 doses of the vaccine from Saturday to Monday.
The Deputy Medical Officer of Health is unaware of the number of doses available, but the City continues to make requests to the province for more as it administers. The province of Ontario must then make its own requests to the federal government since these vaccines are part of the National Emergency Strategic Reserve.
Dr. Rita Shahin isn’t worried about it running out, though. So far, we haven’t had any problems with our vaccine requests.
she assures.
Waiting lines
Dozens of people lined up to get their monkeypox vaccine at the vaccination clinic in Metro Lobby in downtown Toronto on Tuesday. Some of them were even there before the doors opened at 2 p.m.
This was particularly the case of Bobby Diaz who arrived at 1:30 p.m. He nevertheless had to wait a little over an hour before receiving his dose.
It was still a long wait in this queue, especially since it’s hot right now. I’m glad I got here early
he says.
Mr. Diaz is pleased that many members of the community LGBTQ+ get vaccinated, while Pride month is in full swing. They thus exercise caution in protecting themselves and other members of the community.
he said.
” For me, it’s like getting vaccinated against COVID-19. I believe in science and vaccines. »
For his part, James Jan, further in this line, says he is frustrated with the management of public health in Toronto with regard to vaccination centers.
This was his third attempt to obtain a monkeypox vaccine.
The first time there were two lines going around the block. Before going here today, I went to ACT and the authorities had distributed all the tickets to get a vaccine before the doors even opened, without telling us
he says. So they suggested I go here.
” It wasn’t until I watched the television that I found out the City was planning this. In my opinion, the distribution of vaccines should be done by appointment. »
Like Bobby Diaz, he still says he is happy that the City is organizing these vaccination clinics a few days before the Pride parade.
Monkeypox Vaccination Centers
- Metro Hall (214 Wellington Street West): June 20 to June 24 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- ACT (543 Yonge Street): June 21 from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Cloverdale Mall (250, The East Mall): June 21 to June 24 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 1940 Eglinton Avenue East: June 21 to June 24 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Source: Toronto Public Health
60 possible cases of monkeypox in Toronto
Toronto has more than 75 per cent of all confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ontario as of Tuesday.
According to the most recent data from Public Health Ontario, the Queen City has 28 of the 33 confirmed cases of the virus.
Health authorities also say that all confirmed cases so far are in men. They are all between 25 and 59 years old.
That said, the province also has 45 suspected and probable cases in its territory. These cases affect 11 women and 34 men between the ages of 20 and 71.
Toronto Public Health says there are eight probable cases and 24 other suspected cases in the city. In total, the metropolis thus has 60 of the 78 possible cases of monkeypox in the province.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca