In This Issue - February 2025

Program Updates
- Prepare for your vaccine fridge inspection
- Revised reporting requirement for Candida auris
- World TB Day 2025 and TB-UP
Announcements
- Respiratory Surveillance
- Introducing the Youth-VAST Program: A NEW Program Supporting Youth with Nicotine Addiction, Substance Use and Technology Issues
- STOP on the Net: Program Changes
- Ontario Health: Changes to the Ontario Cervical Screening Program
Educational Opportunities
- Registration Now Open: Helping Patients Face a Serious Illness

Prepare For Your Vaccine Fridge Inspection

Health care professionals storing publicly funded vaccine must have an annual vaccine fridge inspection with Public Health. To prepare:

Refer to our Cold Chain Requirements or the Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for information on how to manage cold chain
Review your previous year’s inspection report

Issues, suggestions and questions will be addressed at the time of your inspection:

Your completed Ministry of Health’s Vaccine Cold Chain Maintenance Inspection Report will be faxed to your office following your site visit
Ensure you review the entire report for cold chain management standards, recommendations, and strategies to put in place, if any

In addition, all new vaccine fridges must be inspected before storage of any publicly funded vaccine. Notify Public Health if your office plans to replace your existing vaccine fridge.

Revised Reporting Requirement for Candida Auris

The Ontario Ministry of Health has made an update to the Candida auris (C. auris) reporting requirements since the January 23 Memo. At this time, only laboratory confirmed Candida auris infections are reportable.

The Disease of Public Health Significant poster has been updated to include Candida auris infection and is available for health care providers to order.

World TB Day 2025 and TB-UP

Each year, the World Health Organization recognizes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24. World TB Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on the challenge of defeating the TB epidemic at a global, national and community level.

Many individuals in Niagara who require TB care may not have public or private health insurance. World TB Day serves as a good time to remind health professionals of the Tuberculosis Diagnostic and Treatment Services for Uninsured Persons Program (TB-UP). This program aims to facilitate the early diagnosis of TB and initiation of treatment (as required) for uninsured individuals living in or visiting Ontario. Patients are covered for OHIP billable TB care if they are not covered by any public/private health insurance, and one of the following:

An active or potential case of TB (pulmonary or extra-pulmonary)
A contact of an active TB case
At high-risk of developing active TB

For registration information, contact the Infectious Disease Program at 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 before giving service to eligible patients. The Ministry of Health will not issue retroactive payments. Visit our website for more information.

Respiratory Surveillance

Public Health Ontario’s most recent respiratory laboratory surveillance data indicates activity for influenza is high
Provincially, Influenza A is the most commonly circulating virus amongst samples tested (based on percent positivity)
In Niagara, there have been 802 cases of influenza this season and 19,339 across Ontario

Niagara reports flu activity surveillance information weekly on Fridays. For more detail on the 2024 to 2025 respiratory season, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory virus Tool.

Introducing the Youth-VAST Program: A NEW Program Supporting Youth with Nicotine Addiction, Substance Use and Technology Issues

Youth-VAST is a collaborative initiative by CAMH designed to support youth across Ontario. This program provides targeted support to help youth develop healthy coping strategies, access specialized treatment, and build resilience in managing nicotine and vaping use, substance use and problematic technology use. Youth-VAST empowers youth to address the root causes of these issues and promote healthier and more balanced lifestyles.

Upon referral, each youth is assigned a care coordinator who will conduct an assessment and create an individualized treatment plan.

Key Highlights:

Open to youth ages 12-21
Virtual appointments available across Ontario, outside the Toronto area
Self-referral option—no physician referral required
Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) provided if deemed appropriate after assessment
Appointments can be booked directly on the Youth VAST webpage

The Youth-VAST program is an invaluable resource and offers accessible, personalized support to help them overcome dependencies and build healthier habits. We encourage healthcare professionals to share this resource with patients and families in need.

STOP on the Net: Program Changes

Starting February 1, the STOP on the Net program will offer 6 weeks of treatment (previously 10 weeks) to better support more quit attempts across Ontario. All eligible participants will receive free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) delivered directly to their door. Patients can self-refer into this program by visiting STOP on the Net and completing an eligibility survey. Upon survey completion, patients will be able to choose one of the below treatment options.

Treatment Options:

Combination Therapy: 6 weeks of patches and gum/lozenge
Patches only: 6 weeks of treatment (NEW)
Short acting only: 6 weeks of gum or lozenge (NEW)

Eligibility:

Must be 18 years of age or older
Must be smoking tobacco cigarettes (please note this program is not offered for people who only use e-cigarettes)
Must smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day
Must have a valid and unique e-mail address
Must live within Ontario
Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding
Re-enrollment allowed after 6 months

By guiding patients to programs like STOP on the Net, you help reduce their risks of life-threatening conditions like cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Please integrate these resources into your practice to empower patients in their journey to quit.

Ontario Health: Changes to the Ontario Cervical Screening Program

The following update is shared on behalf of the Niagara Ontario Health Team.

On March 3, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) will be introducing the human papillomavirus (HPV) test which will replace cytology as the primary test for cervical screening and will also be used for follow-up testing in colposcopy.

HPV testing is reflective of advances in technology that will benefit Ontarians. The HPV test is more accurate than cytology and will improve detection of cervical pre-cancer. The improved performance of HPV testing allows for longer intervals between screens for people who test negative for HPV. In addition, new guidance for management and follow-up will minimize repeat testing and support timely discharge from colposcopy.

Changes to the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP)’s cervical screening and colposcopy recommendations:

Age of cervical screening initiation will be 25
New screening intervals, indications for referral to colposcopy and cessation criteria will come into effect
HPV testing will be used in colposcopy to determine eligibility for discharge and the recommended interval for screening post-discharge from colposcopy

Process Changes:

The new OCSP cervical screening requisition must be used to order program-related HPV and cytology tests for eligible participants
Program-related specimens must be collected using the ThinPrep® system. Any specimens collected using SurePath™ will be rejected.
All program-related tests will be performed by LifeLabs, Dynacare or North Bay Regional Health Centre

Several resources have been developed to help health care providers prepare for the upcoming change. If you have any questions, please contact Ontario Health at 1-866-662-9233 from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday or by email.

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

Registration Now Open: Helping Patients Face a Serious Illness

Health care providers, mark your calendars for an enlightening and practical learning opportunity designed to enhance patient-centered care and improve conversations around serious illness, dying, and death.

Date: April 11, 2025 | Time: 12 - 4 p.m.

Location: Club Italia Event Centre (2525 Montrose Road), Niagara Falls

Helping Patients Face a Serious Illness: 7 Keys for More Choice and Control is hosted by the NOHT-ÉSON's Palliative Care Working Group, in collaboration with partners and Ontario Health West.

Join Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow for a free lunch and discussion as they share insights and strategies to navigate these critical topics. The session is grounded in their expertise and the "7 Keys" approach, providing actionable steps for health care providers to better support patients and families during life-changing diagnoses.

By attending this session, participants will:

Understand the 7 Keys: Learn practical strategies for navigating a serious illness diagnosis that benefit patients, families, and providers alike
Recognize the Benefits: Discover how implementing these 7 keys can enhance person-centered care while supporting health care providers in their roles
Apply the Framework: Gain knowledge on how to integrate these strategies into daily practice to improve patient-provider interactions and outcomes

Register now before it sells out!

Medical Advisories & Memos

MEDICAL ADVISORY: February 25 - Increased Measles Activity in Ontario
MEMO: February 20 - Vaccination Services for Students Receiving an Order for Suspension from Attendance at School (ISPA)
MEMO: February 13 - Tuberculosis Reporting, Tuberculin Skin Tests, and TB-UP Program
MEMO: February 12 - Rabies Vaccine Supply

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