Public Health Chief Teresa Tam says “discussions and contract negotiations are ongoing” for doses from Bavarian Nordic, the Danish maker of a smallpox vaccine approved for use in monkeypox. He says the current installments come from Canada’s National Strategic Emergency Reserve for targeted use in high-risk areas. This includes Quebec, where Tam says more than 7,000 people have been vaccinated, and Ontario, where she estimates that about 5,000 people have been vaccinated. He says the provinces have the supply they need at the moment, but that federal officials are watching closely as regions reduce supply. Tam says that as of June 29, there were 202 confirmed smallpox cases reported from Quebec, 67 from Ontario, five from Alberta and four from British Columbia. The majority of cases are men between the ages of 20 and 69, and the majority reported close sexual intercourse with other men, although the risk of smallpox is not exclusive to any group or environment. Tam pointed out that anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, could become infected if they came in close contact with someone who has monkey pox or if they came in contact with personal belongings belonging to someone who is infected, such as towels. or bed linen. Bavarian Nordic said earlier this month that the Public Health Service of Canada had agreed on a five-year, $ 56 million contract to buy the Imvamune vaccine. Deliveries were expected to begin in 2023. Tam did not comment on how much is left in Canada’s stockpile, but said the provinces that are now vaccinating “have what they need.” “We have very close bilateral discussions with the provinces regarding the supply as they begin to reduce the supply available to their specific jurisdiction,” Tam said on Thursday. “Of course, discussions and negotiations are ongoing for contracts with Bavarian Nordic, the manufacturer, for access to more.” This Canadian Press report was first published on June 30, 2022.
