MEMO: Service Disruptions at Niagara Region Public Health

TO: Pharmacy and Health Care Professionals in Niagara

FROM: Clinical Services Division, Niagara Region Public Health

REFERENCE: Service Disruptions at Niagara Region Public Health

DATE: Dec. 28, 2021

The Omicron variant has caused a surge in COVID-19 cases. In an effort to support the urgent need to administer COVID-19 booster doses across Niagara region, almost all Public Health staff have been redeployed. As a result, services across all programs within Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) will be temporarily paused or reduced until the end of January.

Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) program

Services affected during January:

No vaccine distribution (except COVID-19 vaccine)
Deferred follow-up for Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reports
No support for pharmacies, health care professionals and general public inquiries related to routine immunization recommendations

Minimal services offered during January:

Cold chain guidance, troubleshooting and excursion follow-up
Receiving updates to immunization records
Any identified emergency need(s)

Sexual Health program

Services affected during January:

The Niagara Falls and Welland Sexual Health Centres are closed until further notice.

Minimal services offered during January:

The St. Catharine's location will remain open with limited appointments
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) medications available for pick-up
- Birth control and condoms available for pick-up
Syphilis infection follow-ups will continue

Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), is calling on those working in primary care to support vaccinating Ontarians aged 18 and older with their third doses.

Where possible, defer non-urgent clinical services to enable you to participate in, and/or deploy staff to support vaccination efforts
If your office is not yet administering COVID-19 vaccines and would like more information, please email the Pandemic Response Division team

This is a difficult decision to make. We would like to thank everyone for your ongoing commitment, support and resilience during these evolving times.