Immunization and Vaccines

Notices

The application process for pharmacies and other organizations interested in participating in the 2020/2021 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) is open.

Please visit the Ministry of Health website to apply:  www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/flu/uiip/ 

Current vaccine order processing time: 2 business days

This is the average number of business days from receipt of a regular order to the time it is packed in our fridges and ready to be picked up by practitioner or courier.

Recent Immunization Related Public Health Alerts

Procedures

Pick up

Anyone picking up a vaccine order from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is required to bring along their own cooler and ice packs. Most offices have already been issued a cooler by OPH, and are kindly asked to bring it for every vaccine pick up. Please note that each office will only be supplied with one cooler. Offices that do not comply with this new procedure will not receive their vaccine order.

Please note, offices using Accuro or Biotest courier services to deliver their vaccines are not affected by this change in procedure.

If you or your staff have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact the Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Distribution Centre at 613-580-6744, ext. 24225.

Storage and handling information

Exposure to light, frozen or overheated vaccines may lead to patients experiencing a reduced immune response and/or an increase in local reactions. To avoid unnecessary vaccine wastage you should:

  • Ensure refrigerator temperatures are maintained between 2° to 8° C
    • In cases of power failures, refrigerator doors being left open, frequent opening of the refrigerator doors during clinic hours, or refrigerator malfunction that compromises the cold chain, call Ottawa Public Health 613-580-6744 and ask to be directed to the Vaccine Distribution Centre. A Vaccine Program Coordinator will assess the situation and provide you with further instructions
  • Never administer or discard exposed vaccine. Leave it in the refrigerator, and mark it as having been potentially exposed. Do not use it until the Vaccine Program Coordinator has assessed the situation.
  • Ensure your office vaccine refrigerator is not overstocked, as this may cause temperatures to fluctuate or doors to become ajar
  • Defrost the freezer regularly, as excessive ice build-up can cause temperature fluctuations

Feel free to contact OPH for further information on how to maintain a safe cold chain.

Your ongoing support to maintain the vaccine cold chain will ultimately ensure that potent vaccine is administered to your patients.

Cold chain

Ottawa Public Health's Vaccine Distribution Room ensures that each facility in the city of Ottawa storing publicly funded vaccines follow appropriate storage and handling of vaccines. Ottawa Public Health staff conducts annual visits to each facility to ensure that the refrigerators are maintained at the appropriate temperature and that facility staff record these temperatures on an ongoing basis.

What is "Cold Chain" and why is it important?

Cold chain is the maintenance of vaccines at the appropriate temperature range of + 2 ºC to + 8 ºC from the time the vaccines are manufactured until they are given to a patient.

Cold chain is important because vaccines are sensitive biological substances that can lose their strength and effectiveness if they are exposed to heat and/or direct sunlight. Freezing damages most vaccines. Exposed vaccines can result in a reduced immune response and/or increased local reactions. The loss of vaccine potency cannot be reversed.

 

Order vaccines

Influenza vaccine

Additional Information

Publicly funded vaccines for Ontario

Additional Information

High risk vaccines

To order vaccine for high risk patients, fax completed form to 613-580-2783. Eligibility criteria are listed on each form.

Menactra

Order catch-up Menactra® vaccines for clients needing to meet the Immunization of School Pupils Act requirements.

School-based vaccines

Patients who meet specific medical criteria including certain medical conditions and allergies may have the vaccine administered in a provider’s office. Please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 for more information.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B (HB) are primarily available through the Ontario publicly funded Grade 7 School Immunization Program. If they happen to miss a clinic, students can call OPH at 613-580-6744 to book an appointment at a catch-up clinic.

  • Meningococcal Conjugate ACYW135 (Menactra®) can be ordered for Grade 7-12 students requiring the vaccine using the batch order form above.

Reporting forms

Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reporting form

AEFI Reporting Form

To report an adverse event following immunization (AEFI), complete the reporting form and fax to Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-9660 or phone 613-580-6744 for more information.

Having trouble opening the PDF form? Download and save the form directly onto your device.

Resources for AEFIs

Vaccine return form

When returning vaccines to Ottawa Public Health, please complete the form and include a copy with vaccines being returned

Exemption forms

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