News

Mpox vaccine availability & eligibility

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: August 21, 2024
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Trevor Arnason, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Mpox vaccine availability & eligibility

Dear Colleagues,  

You may be receiving questions from patients re: mpox vaccination given the recent declaration of the mpox outbreak in Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO. It is important to note that there are currently two types of the...

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West Nile virus increased activity in Ottawa

To: All Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: August 16, 2024
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health
Subject: West Nile virus increased activity in Ottawa

The risk of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Ottawa is higher this season than in many previous years. Mosquito surveillance is finding positive results for WNV throughout Ottawa and a second human case of WNV has been reported in an Ottawa resident.

This serves as a reminder to keep WNV in...

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Pertussis and routine immunization information

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: July 31, 2024
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Pertussis and routine immunization information

Dear Colleagues, 

There is an increase in reports of pertussis (whooping cough) in Ontario and Quebec. The purpose of this Public Health Alert is to review immunization eligibility and recommendations for pertussis-containing vaccines. Acellular pertussis-containing vaccines are only available as combination vaccines (e.g.,...

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Changes to publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: July 25, 2024
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Deputy Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Changes to publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program

Dear Colleagues,

The province will be transitioning the publicly funded Pneumococcal vaccine programs starting late July 2024 as per the table below:

Note: Patients who have completed a publicly funded Pneumococcal vaccination series are not eligible, at this time, to restart a series

Vaccine Information

Pneu-C-15:

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West Nile virus confirmed in Ottawa area mosquitoes; first Ottawa human case of 2024

To: All Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: July 19, 2024
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health
Subject: West Nile virus confirmed in Ottawa area mosquitoes; first Ottawa human case of 2024

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is writing to heighten your awareness of the possibility of illness from West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Ottawa. OPH has received the first positive results for WNV from Ottawa area mosquito traps for the 2024 season and a human case...

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