News

Key dates and information for 2023-2024 Universal Influenza Immunization Program roll-out in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Healthcare Providers
Date: September 21, 2023
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) expects to receive its first shipment of influenza vaccines from the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) in the week of September 25th.

OPH is planning to distribute influenza vaccines to community providers the week of October 2nd, 2023 for individuals at high risk...

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Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Fall 2023 Booster

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, Travel Clinics and Walk-in Clinics, and Infection Control
Date: Sept 7, 2023
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

The Ministry of Health has informed Ottawa Public Health (OPH) that they are monitoring the COVID-19 epidemiology closely to update recommendations on fall COVID-19 boosters. Health Canada is reviewing a new formulation monovalent COVID-19 vaccine that targets XBB sub-variants with approval...

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Professional Development and Resources

PHO Rounds, recording: Mpox: Outbreak, Response, and Vaccine Effectiveness

Review of current knowledge about the Spring 2022 global epidemic of mpox infection, primarily in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe the evolving epidemiology of mpox in Ontario and globally with a focus on the 2022 outbreak.
• Identify the key clinical characteristics of mpox infection.
• Discuss recent evidence and advances in our...

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Rapid Antigen Tests Availability and Ordering to Support Patient Access to Paxlovid

As of June 30, the province started winding down widespread distribution of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) at retail locations such as pharmacies and grocery stores. Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is supporting ongoing access to COVID-19 testing, in particular for people who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment. Resources are available to you and your patients to find availability of rapid antigen tests (RATs) for COVID-19 and support timely access to Paxlovid.

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Reportable Diseases Update for Ontario: 3 Tick-borne Diseases Added

As of July 1st, 2023, the tick-borne diseases anaplasmosis (human granulocytic anaplasmosis), babesiosis, and Powassan virus disease became reportable to local health units under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.  These newly reportable pathogens can occur in local blacklegged ticks and with climate change incidence is expected to increase. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases are important interventions.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum (a tick-borne intracellular...

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