In This Issue - November 2022

Physicians' Corner - Dr. Hirji speaks to the current triple threat of respiratory infections
Physicians' Newsletter Distribution List
UPDATE:
- Join the Primary Care Advisory & Liaison Group
- Vaccine Preventable Disease Record Review
- Niagara EMS - New Functional Abilities Form for EMS staff
REVIEW:
- Feedback Opportunity
- Respiratory Surveillance
MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS

Physicians' Corner

In this month’s edition of the physicians’ corner broadcast video, Dr. Hirji speaks to the current triple threat of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 that Niagara’s healthcare system is facing. He talks about the large number of children getting sick with respiratory illnesses and the important role that vaccination plays in reducing risk of hospitalizations and deaths. Collectively, we need to continue to encourage more parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated and take steps as a community such as masking to help reduce the spread and keep everyone safe as we approach the holiday season and winter months when we know infections are typically at their highest.

Dr. Hirji first highlights the importance of vaccination of covid-19 especially in children. When looking at the 0-11 age group, this is where vaccine uptake is particularly low. Being under vaccinated contributes to a substantial number of hospitalizations and deaths in this age group across Canada. Looking at the adult population, only 15% of adults have received the fall booster. We need to take steps to ensure everyone, and especially these children, older adults and those most vulnerable are well protected before COVID-19 surges again.
Dr. Hirji then goes on to discuss infections from influenza. The last few weeks have seen the start of the influenza season. Over half of current infections so far this year have been in those under 10 years of age. This virus is hitting our children hardest right now and there is a need to ensure these children are protected with the influenza vaccine.
Finally, Dr. Hirji emphasizes things we can do as a community to protect each other and those most vulnerable – such as masking indoors and whenever outdoors in crowds to limit the spread of infection, encouraging people to stay home when they are sick, and to avoid large gatherings.
As health care providers, we can make a particular impact through our own personal actions. By getting our flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, and wearing masks, we can show our patients that we take all steps to protect them, and we can role model to the rest of the community the steps we encourage them to take.

Let us know if you would like to see Dr. Hirji cover any other topics or address any questions you may have in an upcoming video by emailing HCP Engagement.

Physicians' Newsletter Distribution List

Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) is streamlining our distribution lists for the Physicians’ Newsletter. Over the years, Public Health has established different distribution lists and communication channels to share information. Public Health is working towards consolidating these email lists to ensure the information reaches the intended recipients.

As you've come to know, this newsletter is disseminated at the end of every month via email and covers Public Health-related topics of interest to physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other allied health professionals.

Action required

To continue to be included in Niagara Region Public Health’s email distribution list for local health care providers, please sign up to receive these communications by visiting Niagara’s Health Care Professionals webpage
- Even if you currently receive the newsletter, please sign up again as we consolidate email lists
If you would like to have the email updates sent to someone else in your office, please ensure that they also sign up using the link above

UPDATE: Join the Primary Care Advisory & Liaison Group

Niagara Region Public Health is accepting applications for positions with our Primary Care Advisory & Liaison (PCAL) Group for 2023.

This group is in place to support improved two-way communication between Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) and Niagara's primary care sector, including collaboration efforts, resource sharing and knowledge exchange. Throughout the year, the group will

Advise NRPH on the development of communication strategies for the primary care sector on issues that impact practice (e.g., catch up immunizations, program and referral changes, priority health issues impacting Niagara)
Hear directly from various NRPH program areas and advise on how best to integrate with primary care
Present Public Health with concerns or issues relevant to NRPH from primary care in a way that is solution focused

Representing specific areas of Niagara, PCAL members strive to equitably represent and be inclusive of all family physicians and nurse practitioners who currently practice in Niagara's diverse communities.

These paid positions require a time commitment of approximately 3-5 hours per month. If you are a family physician or nurse practitioner working in Niagara with a passion for Public Health and advocating for a strong relationship with primary care - we invite you to join us.

Please email HCP engagement for more information!

Update: Vaccine Preventable Disease Record Review

This month, Niagara Region Public Health began mailing individualized Immunization Notices reminding students/families that up-to-date vaccination records or valid exemptions need to be provided to Public Health. As of November 1, 2022, over 29,000 students (including those 18 years of age who are still in high school) are overdue and/or have not reported their vaccination information for ISPA required vaccinations.

Please read this memo from Niagara Region Public Health for more information and implications for your practice.

UPDATE: Niagara EMS - New Functional Abilities Form for EMS staff

Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) continues to support its employees’ overall health and wellbeing during their recovery from illness or injury. EMS will be working with employees to develop a safe and suitable modified work plan based on their abilities and within their limitations identified by their health care provider. A new functional abilities form has been created to support health care providers in sharing clinical information with Niagara EMS so that EMS can provide the appropriate accommodations and return-to-work planning for employees if applicable (e.g., modified/alternate duties and/or work schedule, gradual return to work, adjustments to equipment).

Your patient will provide you with a copy of the form, as required.

REVIEW: Feedback Opportunity

The Primary Care Advisory and Liaison (PCAL) group is evaluating efforts and continues to explore how best to engage and unite the voices of all family physicians and nurse practitioners in Niagara on Public Health-related issues.

The team is setting goals and priorities for 2023 and we want to ensure that the issues you are experiencing, as they relate to Public Health, can be addressed. To support this, the group has created a brief survey and are asking all family physicians and nurse practitioners who practise in Niagara to complete it.

The survey will only take 5 minutes to complete. To ensure your voice is heard, please take a few minutes to provide your feedback!

Start the survey - click here.

REVIEW: Respiratory Surveillance

Surveillance Update: Influenza activity is increasing

Public Health Ontario’s most recent respiratory laboratory surveillance data indicates activity for influenza A is moderately high and approaching historical flu season peak levels, while activity for influenza B is low
Provincially, RSV is the most commonly-circulating non-COVID-19 virus after influenza
In Niagara, there are 360 cases of influenza so far this season, 203 of which have been in children under age 0-9, and 252 in persons under 20 years of age
There have been 7,356 influenza cases across Ontario

Data source: Public Health Ontario’s Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin, data as of November 25, 2022. Please note: Coronavirus refers to non-pandemic human coronaviruses, not the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Niagara reports flu activity surveillance information weekly on Fridays

For more detail on the 2022 to 2023 respiratory season, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin.

Looking for education and professional development opportunities? Several opportunities are available to support health professionals in Niagara.

Check this page often for updates!

MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS

November 29: Memo - VPD Holiday Hours, Vaccine Ordering & Delivery Schedule
November 18: Memo - Flu Vaccine Available to Order
November 8: Memo - Record Review for ISPA Required Vaccines Resumes