Public Health Alerts

Meningococcal immunization: Hajj and Umrah requirements in Saudi Arabia

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: May 16, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Meningococcal immunization: Hajj and Umrah requirements in Saudi Arabia

 Dear Colleagues,

This year, Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 to 9, 2025.  Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed any time in the year.  Those traveling to Saudi Arabia for the purposes of Hajj or Umrah are at increased risk of exposure to meningococcal disease.

Due...

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Updated provincial measles vaccination recommendations

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: May 14, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Updated provincial measles vaccination recommendations for outbreak affected areas

Dear Colleagues,

Public Health Ontario has shared a new resource entitled “Routine and Outbreak-related Measles Immunization Schedules,” which provides an overview of Ontario’s publicly funded routine immunization schedule for measles and the measles immunization schedules for outbreak...

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Cases of Measles in Ottawa

Public Health Alert To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: May 1, 2025
From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Cases of Measles in Ottawa

Dear Colleagues,

Two cases of international travel-related measles have been reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Consequently, other persons may have been exposed to measles in Ottawa, and details of these exposures can be found in the Public Service Announcement. Secondary cases from these exposures could occur any...

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Measles: epidemiology, suspect cases, and vaccination

Public Health Alert

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners

Date: April 28, 2025

From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Subject: Measles updates and reminders: epidemiology, suspect cases, and vaccination

Dear Colleagues,

Measles outbreak activity continues in some regions of Ontario. This alert provides an update on the current epidemiology of the outbreak, an overview of steps to take if you suspect measles in a patient, and a summary of provincial vaccine...

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COVID-19 Vaccine Program Spring Update

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 14, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues, 

The Ministry of Health has announced updates to Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine program, including high-risk populations recommended and eligible to have an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the spring vaccination program. 

• In accordance with recent National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance, Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19...

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