No images? Click here In This Issue - January 2022
Physicians' CornerFor this month's physicians' corner, we have a number of COVID-19 related updates to share. School and Childcare Guidance Provincial interim public health guidance on case, contact and outbreak management for schools and childcare settings was released on January 10 in response to the current surge in Omicron cases. Niagara Region Public Health has implemented additional measures to protect our community during the Omicron Surge. Key additional measures include
In-home COVID-19 Vaccinations After a temporary pause due to the pressures on EMS, Public Health is planning to resume limited in-home vaccinations. Since capacity to deliver in-home vaccinations is limited, Public Heath recommends that individuals who can leave their home to access medical appointments, get their vaccine at a Public Health clinic, pharmacy or through their health care provider so that they can get protection as early as possible and not delay the ability for Public Health to reach those who truly cannot travel. Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics are accessible and have wheelchairs onsite if required. If you have a house bound patient in need of a vaccination please advise them to call our COVID-19 Info-Line at 905-688-8248 or toll-free 1-888-505-6074, press 7, to join a waiting list. Their eligibility for an in-home vaccination will be assessed and scheduled as can be accommodated. Mass Immunization Clinic If you are not offering COVID-19 vaccination in your office, please encourage your patients in need of COVID-19 vaccination to attend Public Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic.
For more information on Public Health’s clinic schedule as well as a list of who is eligible for walk-in appointments, please visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Schedule webpage. Identifying Unvaccinated Patients As a reminder, Ontario Health (OH) has made available the COVaxON Aggregate Primary Care Vaccination Report for all physicians who are participating in a patient enrollment model. This report identifies rostered patients who have received a COVID-19 vaccine and now includes information on the 5-11 year old age cohort. In addition, to help clinicians know how to get reports on which of their patients are vaccinated or unvaccinated, OntarioMD has provided vaccination report data source information by practice model. With the province intending to begin lifting restrictions in the coming weeks and contemplating an expansion of proof-of-vaccination requirement, it’s important that we continue to work together support our community in making the decision to get vaccinated and/or to receive their booster. Health care professionals are encouraged to identify and follow-up with patients who have yet to be vaccinated/boosted and either bringing them into the office to get vaccinated or encourage them to attend a vaccine clinic in the community. COVID-19 Assessment and Treatment Clinic @ Niagara Health Niagara Health has opened a COVID-19 Clinic to support community and primary care providers who are caring for patients with known or suspected COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms who do not require emergency care. The COVID-19 Clinic is intended for patients who warrant an in-person visit for assessment of severity of illness, assessment of risk of developing more severe illness, and managing COVID-19 as an outpatient. The COVID-19 Clinic is located at the St. Catharines Site (1200 Fourth Avenue), Mental Health Outpatient Area - right beside the COVID-19 drive-through assessment centre. If you have any questions, please contact the Niagara Health COVID-19 Clinic at 905-378-4647 ext. 41985. View the dedicated COVID-19 Information for Health Care Professionals webpage. Here you will find statistics, vaccine information, testing options and a link to our FAQ page. Don't see the response to your question on the FAQ page? Call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at 905-688-8248, press 7 then press 1. UPDATE: Encourage COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Uptake among Pregnant IndividualsAs COVID-19 infection spreads rapidly throughout the community, hospitals across Ontario are seeing an increase in infants hospitalized with COVID-19 born to unvaccinated mothers and are urging pregnant individuals to get vaccinated. Pregnant individuals continue to be at a higher risk for serious COVID-19 illness and ICU admission. Pregnant individuals are recommended to get a complete series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, including a booster (third dose) three months after completing their primary series.
Urgent Action Required: Take every opportunity to discuss the risks associated with COVID-19 illness and the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine with patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who want to become pregnant and encourage vaccination. More information:
UPDATE: Vaccine Preventable Disease Program Updates
More Information
UPDATE: Family Health Program and Service disruption for Parents, Families and ChildrenSeveral programs and services offered to families have been disrupted with most public health staff redeployed to COVID-19 immunization clinics. Please direct any questions about programs and services available for parents, children and youth to Niagara Parents. The following programs and services remain available:
REVIEW: Respiratory SurveillanceSurveillance Update: Influenza Activity Low
Please refer to Niagara Region’s Flu Activity page for up-to-date local influenza data, updated every Tuesday. Looking for education and professional development opportunities? Several opportunities are available to support health professionals in Niagara. Breastfeeding - Making a difference Level 1Are you a healthcare provider in Niagara who currently works with expectant or new parents and their families? Grab your spot in the 3-day virtual (live) workshop series! This series will take place on February 23, March 2, and March 9, 2022. Keynote Speaker: Kathy O’Grady Venter, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, BFI Assessor for the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, and Educator for Quintessence Foundation Spots are filling up fast! If interested, please register online. Note: Participants must attend all three session dates and may be eligible to receive IBLCE CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points). Niagara Health’s Annual Cardiology DayYOU’RE INVITED! Please join Niagara Health for the upcoming virtual CME session in Zoom – 25th Annual Cardiology Day (earn up to 3 credits from the College of Family Physicians or the Royal College). Don’t miss this exciting event! Wednesday, February 9, 2022 – 1:00-5:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, you must Pre-Register (limited to the first 300 registrants). Please reach to Amanda Etherington with any questions or concerns! MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS
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