Start of Influenza Season Declared in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Travel Clinics, Walk-in Clinics, Emergency Departments and CHCs
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
From: Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues: 

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is now declaring the start of the influenza season in Ottawa. 

For the week ending December 9, the percent of respiratory lab specimens positive for influenza was 11.7%; for the week prior (ending December 2) the percent positivity was 9.3%. 

Influenza -...

Increasing laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Walk-in Clinics, Travel Clinic, Emergency Departments, IPAC and CHCs
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
From: Dr. Laura Bourns (Associate Medical Officer of Health)

Dear Colleagues: 

Increasing numbers of people with laboratory-confirmed influenza and hospitalizations due to influenza are being reported in our community. The influenza wastewater signal also began rising 4 weeks ago. To date, reported cases of influenza in Ottawa are influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2)...

Annual Assessment of Student Immunization Records

Date: November 16th, 2023
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Annual Assessment of Student Immunization Records

Dear Colleagues,

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has once again started the annual process of assessing childhood immunization records for compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

• To attend school in Ontario, students need to be immunized against nine vaccine preventable diseases or have a medical or religious/philosophical exemption:...

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: November 14, 2023
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,                                                                

As of August 4, 2023, Health Canada approved Arexvy (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in adults 60 years of age and older. NACI is currently reviewing the use of Arexvy, and a chapter and update will follow the Canadian...

Update on Fall 2023 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine in Ottawa

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: October 31, 2023
From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,                                                                

As of October 30, 2023 all Ontarians six months and older are now eligible to receive their flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine (if it has been the recommended six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection).           

COVID-19 XBB.1.5 Products

In addition, to the previously approved Moderna COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine, Health Canada...