Your monthly update from Niagara Region Public Health

Welcome to Public Health Pulse! Formerly known as the Physicians’ Newsletter, the publication was given a fresh name in January 2025 to better reflect our commitment to supporting Niagara’s physicians, primary care providers, and allied health professionals with essential public health updates.

We value your feedback—your insights help us ensure the content remains useful and impactful. If you have suggestions or topics you’d like us to cover, just hit reply and let us know!

As we move into the fall season, we would like to share important updates to support your preparedness for the upcoming respiratory season and gather your feedback regarding vaccine ordering and delivery processes.

We are also pleased to highlight newly available Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) resources and bring attention to National Addiction Awareness Week this November.

Finally, we have included an update from our colleagues at Niagara Health regarding medical imaging requisition forms.

Thank you for your continued collaboration and commitment to the health of the community.

Dr. Azim Kasmani
Medical Officer of Health
Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services

In this issue - October 2025

Program Updates
• Fall Respiratory Season
• Seasonal Respiratory Products Reminders
• Tell Us Your Needs on Vaccine Order and Delivery
• New Free Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Resources Available
• National Addiction Awareness Week - Anchoring Hope
• Niagara Health Updated Medical Imaging Requisition Forms

Announcements
• Respiratory Surveillance

Medical Advisories and Memos
• Measles Outbreak Declared Over

Fall Respiratory Season

Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) has received its first lab-confirmed influenza cases in the region. As we enter respiratory season, NRPH is advising that RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 are expected to circulate widely and place additional strain on our health system. Primary care settings, emergency departments, and hospitals may experience significant pressure during peak periods.

To reduce the burden of illness in our community, timely and widespread vaccination remains critical and NRPH remains committed to working with you to achieve this. Please continue to promote and encourage all staff, patients, and especially high-risk individuals such as seniors, to receive their vaccines as soon as they become available. Public Health strongly supports coadministration of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines where appropriate, to maximize coverage and convenience.

On September 23, 2025, two memos were issued to health care providers outlining eligibility criteria for fall respiratory immunizations. Please refer to them to guide your immunization efforts, as well as the Seasonal Respiratory Product Reminders article in this issue.

Thank you again for your continued collaboration and efforts in helping to protect our community from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Additional Resources

Refer to the Public Health Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool for information on respiratory virus activity in Ontario
For information on molecular testing for respiratory viruses, refer to Respiratory Viruses (including influenza) | Public Health Ontario
For more information related to antiviral treatment refer to:
- Use of antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza: Foundation document for practitioners- Update 2019
- COVID-19 Clinical Guidelines and Resources | Ontario Health

Seasonal Respiratory Product Reminders

While we manage shipments of fall vaccines, some adult RSV vaccine orders may be modified due to availability and supply. As a general practice, we do not hold previous orders to fulfill at a later time. Therefore, please continue to place new orders based on what you've received and what you still need, as earlier orders will not be retained.
Do not delay COVID-19 or influenza vaccination to wait for a particular product, especially since supply may be unpredictable
The Ontario Ministry of Health’s health care provider fact sheet for COVID-19 will be updated to include individuals 6 months of age and older with underlying medical conditions, including children with complex health needs (high-risk group 2)
Ontario expanded eligibility to include all individuals aged 75 years and older for publicly funded RSV earlier this fall. Publicly funded RSV vaccine is available to this age group AND those who meet the high-risk eligibility criteria. If your patient receives the RSV vaccine at a pharmacy, they will have to pay for it- even if they may be eligible for the publicly funded program. The Ministry of Health will not reimburse them.

Ordering and Delivery of Seasonal Respiratory Products

Beyfortus® is available to order and will continue to be distributed based on product availability
Delivery personnel are not informed about the contents of the vaccine bags, including specific product details such as whether they contain high-dose or standard-dose flu vaccines. They also do not have access to your order information. Please reference the packing slip stapled to the outside of the bag for the contents of your order.

Tell Us Your Needs on Vaccine Order and Delivery

Public Health provides health care professionals with the opportunity to order immunizations through the Vaccine Preventable Disease program. As part of our commitment to enhancing the vaccine ordering and delivery process, we are conducting a five-minute survey to gather feedback from physicians and primary care offices who receive vaccines from Public Health. Those who are directly involved in coordinating or receiving vaccine deliveries are asked to complete the survey.

Your feedback will help to identify opportunities to improve the vaccine ordering process.

Please complete the Vaccine Order and Delivery survey before Nov. 19, 2025.

New Free Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Resources Available

In Canada, 1 in 5 parents report symptoms of anxiety or depression before, during or after pregnancy. Public Health provides a FREE group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program designed for pregnant individuals and new parents with infants up to 18 months old.

New CBT promotion tools are now available for order through the Maternal and Child Health Clinical and Patient Resource order form. Patients can call or scan the QR code featured on the CBT patient resources to register for the CBT program.

Physicians are also encouraged to refer patients who may be eligible to Niagara Parents using the Family Health Referral form.

National Addictions Awareness Week – Anchoring Hope

November 16–22 marks National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), a time to reflect on the impact of substance use and promote compassionate, evidence-based care. This year’s theme, Anchoring Hope, emphasizes the importance of optimism, connection, and collective action in addressing substance use.

Health care providers play a vital role in reducing stigma, supporting recovery, and advocating for equitable access to services. In Niagara, a range of local resources are available to support your work:

Mental Health Addictions Line Access Line - a free service that’s connected to a network of 16 mental health and addiction agencies.
Niagara Health – Mental Health & Addictions Program - Offers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services.

Niagara Health Updated Medical Imaging Requisition Forms

In alignment with the mandate from Ontario Health (OH) West and to help ensure patients have timely and consistent access to MRI/CT services, Niagara Health has implemented new medical imaging requisition forms for community providers and external offices.

A memo was sent on Sept. 23 through SCOPE (Seamless Care Optimizing the Patient Experience) distribution list, which sends updates and information to community providers and external offices
New forms are available on the Information for Referring Providers webpage
There is no change to the CPOE process internally

Why this Change is Happening

Alignment with OH West’s Central Intake launch of standardized CT and MRI requisitions
Many requisition forms currently being used are outdated and no longer reflect current services
The new forms ensure we capture the relevant clinical information required to provide safe, high-quality care
Improved information allows us to better personalize care during patient imaging appointments
The forms support enhanced appointment reminder services that use technology to keep patients informed

More Information

For questions about MRI/CT Central Intake, please contact wecare2image@hhsc.ca
For other imaging questions, contact the Medical Imaging Booking Office at 905-378-4647 x46350
Visit the SCOPE webpage to be added to the distribution list for Niagara Primary Care Providers

Niagara Health thanks you for your support as they make this important change to improve patient care and align with provincial standards

Respiratory Surveillance

Public Health Ontario’s most recent respiratory laboratory surveillance data indicates activity for influenza is low
Provincially, Entero/Rhinovirus is the most commonly circulating virus (based on percent positivity)
In Niagara, there have been 6 cases of influenza this season; 164 across Ontario
Niagara reports flu activity surveillance information weekly on Fridays

For more details on the 2025 to 2026 respiratory season, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory virus Tool.

Visit the Professional Development Opportunities page for in-person and online opportunities available to health care professionals in Niagara.

Medical advisories and memos

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Medical Advisory: October 17 - Measles Outbreak Declared Over