In this issue - May 2026

Program Updates
• Immunization Record Reporting: Reminder
• Damaged Vaccine Packaging: Key Points for Providers
• Connecting Patients to Niagara Region Mental Health Programs
• Early Years, Lasting Impact: Addressing Perinatal Mental Health
• Your Referral Matters: Connecting Young Parents to Nurse-Family Partnership
• Discontinuation of the 18-Month Book Club Program

Educational Opportunities

Public Health Alerts
• Medical Advisory: Legionellosis - Heightened Awareness
• Medical Advisory: Andes Hantavirus - Situational Awareness
• Stock outs: IPV (Imovax® Polio) and Engerix®-B (pediatric)

The May issue of the PH Pulse newsletter brings together timely updates and practical guidance to support your work with patients and families. Inside, you’ll find a reminder on immunization record reporting, along with key points for managing damaged vaccine packaging to ensure safe handling and administration.

In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, we’re highlighting several key resources that support mental wellness for individuals and families across our community. Providers can learn more about Niagara Region Mental Health programs, learn how to refer young parents to the Nurse‑Family Partnership, and explore a CBT‑based program designed for pregnant or new parents experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or overwhelm.

Finally, please take note of the discontinuation of the 18‑Month Book Club program and learn about tools to continue supporting early literacy.

Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening the health of families in the Niagara community.

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

Immunization Record Reporting: Reminder

Health care providers play an important role in supporting accurate immunization records in Niagara. A patient may be vaccinated, but their record may appear incomplete if vaccines are not reported.

When vaccines are administered in your office, please remind parents/guardians that this information is not automatically reported to Public Health. Parents/guardians are responsible for reporting all vaccines using Immunization Connect (ICON).

Health Care Provider Action:

Direct patients to view their child’s immunization record every summer in ICON; the Immunizations Needed section will indicate any vaccine(s) their child is due for prior to the annual student immunization record review
For vaccine visits:
- Encourage families to bring in their yellow card or access their child’s immunization record through ICON
- Advise parents/guardians to report vaccines in ICON. Instructions are included in the notification tear-off pads and poster available for your office to order on our website.

A brief reminder at the point of care helps improve record accuracy and reduces follow-up for both families and provider offices.

Damaged Vaccine Packaging: Key Points for Providers

When vaccine packaging has absorbed water from condensation within the fridge, there is a risk of freezing during the fridge’s cooling cycles.

Risk to potency: Vaccines are sensitive biological products; exposure to adverse storage conditions can reduce effectiveness.
Damage is irreversible: Loss of vaccine potency from cold chain failures is cumulative and cannot be reversed.
Visual checks are insufficient: Vaccine appearance does not confirm viability; impacted products may appear normal.
Treat as a cold chain incident: Vaccine packaging that has been damaged by condensation or pooled water should be managed as a cold chain incident

Preventing Water Damage:

Store vaccines away from fridge walls and cooling vents
Remove condensation promptly; prevent pooling
Maintain units regularly, including defrosting and drip/drainage control
Avoid overcrowding to support proper airflow

Health Care Provider Action:

Do NOT discard or administer vaccine
Keep vaccine in the fridge and label “Do Not Use”
Contact Niagara Region Public Health Vaccine Program for assessment

For more information, contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396.

Connecting Patients to Niagara Region Mental Health Programs

“Without mental health, there can be no true physical health.” - Dr. Brock Chisholm

Niagara Region Mental Health offers a continuum of community‑based services designed to support adults and youth across Niagara who are experiencing significant mental health challenges.

Assertive Community Treatment - Intensive, multidisciplinary support for adults (16+) with the most complex and persistent mental illnesses, including those facing homelessness, substance use, or justice involvement
Flexible ACT - Community‑based counselling, treatment, and follow‑up that can scale up or down depending on a person’s needs
Early Psychosis Intervention - Specialized care for individuals aged 14–35 experiencing a first episode or early symptoms of psychosis
Youth Mental Health and Addiction Services - Assessment, counselling, and treatment planning for youth aged 17–25 with emerging mental health or substance use concerns.
Geriatric Mental Health Services - Support for adults 60+ experiencing depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other significant mental health concerns

Please visit the Niagara Region Mental Health for more information and details regarding eligibility for services.

How to Access Services

Health care providers can refer patients via:
- Online referral
- Fax referral
Individuals and families may contact the Mental Health and Addictions Access Line Niagara to be connected with the most appropriate service

Early Years, Lasting Impact: Addressing Perinatal Mental Health

Mental Health Week (May 4–10, 2026) highlights the critical importance of mental wellness across the lifespan, particularly during the perinatal period. In Canada, approximately 1 in 5 individuals experience perinatal mental illness, underscoring the significant impact of maternal mental health on parent well-being, infant development, and long-term family outcomes.

Health care providers are encouraged to refer pregnant individuals and parents with infants up to 18 months experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or overwhelm to the group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program. This evidence-informed, nine-week series led by public health nurses builds practical skills to support mental health and resilience.

How to Refer

Health care providers can make referrals via the online Family Health Referral form
Patients may self-refer by calling 905-684-7555 or registering online

More Information

To learn more about the CBT program and other supports available for families, please visit, Clinics and Classes for Parents, Caregivers and Children
CBT program promotional materials for clinical settings are available through the Clinical and Resource Order page

Your Referral Matters: Connecting Young Parents to Nurse-Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a free, evidence-based program that provides personalized one-on-one support to first-time parents who are under 25 years of age. Parents who are enrolled in the NFP program receive regular home visits from a public health nurse starting in early pregnancy until the child is two years old. 

NFP strengthens continuity of care during critical periods of pregnancy and early childhood. Benefits of the NFP program include:

Improved pregnancy outcomes 
Healthy child growth and development 
Reduced social isolation and financial stress

The NFP program has the capacity to support more young parents in Niagara. Current data shows that only 15% of eligible clients were referred to this evidenced-based program. Timely referrals from health care providers can help ensure eligible families receive the added support early.

Health Care Provider Actions:

Refer patient via Family Health Referral Form 
Visit niagararegion.ca/parents for more information

Discontinuation of the 18-Month Book Club Program

Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) is sharing an update regarding the 18‑Month Book Club, which has supported the Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit for families in Niagara.

NRPH has reviewed the program and with low participation has made the decision to sunset the 18‑Month Book Club. We thank the physicians and primary care providers who have participated and supported early literacy and child development through this initiative.

Final chance to order for already enrolled health care providers:

There will be one final opportunity to place orders for 18‑Month Book Club materials
The deadline to submit orders is June 12, 2026, and requests will be fulfilled while supplies last

Resources

NRPH continues to encourage health care providers to conduct regular Enhanced 18‑Month Well‑Baby Visits. For additional tools and resources to support these appointments, please visit:
- Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit - Niagara Region, Ontario

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

Medical Advisories and Memos

Don't miss important communications from Public Health! Sign up to receive health care professional alerts and urgent notices.

MEDICAL ADVISORY: May 19 - Legionellosis - Heightened Awareness
MEDICAL ADVISORY: May 12 - Medical Advisory: Andes Hantavirus - Situational Awareness
MEMO: May 7- Stock outs: IPV (Imovax® Polio) and Engerix®-B (pediatric

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