News

Physicians' Update LIVE! December 10th Broadcast for Physicians and Nurse Practitioners 

People living in long-term care (LTC) homes in Canada have been far more likely to die of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the rest of the population. In the 6th edition of Physicians’ Update LIVE!, guest speaker Dr. Benoît Robert shares why COVID-19 is such a serious problem in LTC and retirement homes, reviews what is being done to protect individuals living there, outlines what happens when there is an outbreak, and clarifies visitor requirements.

Dr. Robert attended the University of...

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Blastomycosis cases, Ottawa, 2020, possible local exposures

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Emergency DepartmentsDate: November 23, 2020From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Office of Health, Ottawa Public Health

In 2020 to this point in time, 4 cases of blastomycosis in Ottawa residents have been reported to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). Local exposure is likely in all 4 cases – in 3 cases it is supported by a lack of history of travel outside of the Ottawa/Gatineau area within the incubation period. OPH is writing to alert you that this...

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UPDATE: 2020-2021 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)

To: Flu vaccine providers; Travel Clinics; Walk-In Clinics; Family Medicine; Infectious Disease; Nurse Practioners; Pediatrics;From: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public HealthDate: November 19, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your ongoing support in providing the influenza vaccine to your patients.

Ottawa Public Health is currently experiencing a reduction in our weekly vaccine deliveries from the Ministry of Health. We expect this reduction in supply to be...

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Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 contact tracing and isolation

To: Ottawa Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and MidwivesFrom: Dr. Sarah Funnell, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: November 16, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) continues to build capacity in our local case and contact management team in order to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since September 14th, the OPH COVID-19 Case and Contact Team has been led by Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sarah Funnell. Along with Dr. Funnell, there are hundreds of public health...

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Ontario’s publicly funded shingles immunization program product transition to Shingrix® vaccine

To: Ottawa ImmunizersFrom: Dr. Trevor Arnason, Associate Medical Officer of HealthDate: November 13, 2020

Dear colleagues,

Since 2016, Zostavax® vaccine was offered as part of the Ontario’s publicly funded shingles immunization program to all seniors ages 65 to 70 years.

The program is transitioning from Zostavax® to Shingrix® vaccine. Shingrix® is a two-doses recombinant, adjuvanted subunit vaccine which was proven to be more effective in the prevention of Herpes zoster infection and post-herpetic...

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