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!

It’s that time of year again! As families prepare for the new school year, it’s a great opportunity for health care providers to remind them that routine vaccinations are just as important as school supplies. Taking a moment to check if children are due or overdue for their vaccinations helps keep students, classrooms, and our wider community healthy. For more information, including how families can update their child’s immunization record, please direct them to niagararegion.ca/vaccines.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to building a healthier, more resilient community.

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

In this issue - August 2025

Program Updates
• Welcome Dr. Meghani!
• Updated AEFI Reporting Form and Fact Sheet
• Resources to Support your Practice
• World Suicide Prevention Day
• National Nature Prescription Program

Medical Advisories and Memos
• First Human Case of West Nile Virus (WNV) 2025
• Rabies Vaccine and Immunoglobulin Supply

Welcome Dr. Meghani!

We are pleased to share that Dr. Hamidah Meghani has joined Niagara Region Public Health as a part-time Public Health Physician. Dr. Meghani has extensive experience at both the local and provincial public health levels and has a strong interest in public health leadership, health systems, and health equity.

Dr. Meghani's experience includes nearly a decade as Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region, serving as Associate Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton Public Health Services, and recently as Deputy Chief, Medical and Systems Support, at Public Health Ontario.

In her role as Public Health Physician, Dr. Meghani will be providing medical advice and public health guidance to the department.

Updated AEFI Reporting Form and Health Care Provider Fact Sheet

Public Health Ontario (PHO) has updated the following vaccine safety resources:

Health care providers are encouraged to review the updated materials to support consistent and streamlined reporting.

More Information

Visit Report Adverse Events After Immunization (for Health Care Professionals)
Order the resource: Caring for your child after vaccinations, to give to your patients following immunization (can be found in the Vaccines and Immunizations drop down)
Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396. Please state that you are a health care provider, and we will prioritize your call during times of high call volume.

Resources to Support your Practice

Did you know that Public Health has resource packages that you can order for your office? Choose from one of two package options (or select both!) and we will provide you with all the items that you need while eliminating the guess work.

Looking for brochures, rack cards and posters to display in your reception area and patient waiting room or exam rooms? Select the clinic waiting room package.
Looking for tools to support you in practice (i.e., referral or lab interpretation guides)? Select the health care professional package.

If you are looking for program specific resources, you can still order these separately. Order ready-made packages or individual resources for your office now!

World Suicide Prevention Day

Join the conversation on suicide prevention to ensure everyone gets the help they need. September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day – this year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. It’s aim is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

Today in Canada 12 people will end their lives by suicide, with many more people affected by this loss. Health care professionals have a unique opportunity to make an impact with patients on a daily basis by asking directly about thoughts of suicide and connecting patients to support.

Resources

Access free online suicide prevention training modules for physicians and nurses
Order suicide prevention resources for patients

National Nature Prescription Program

Niagara Region Public Health has officially endorsed PaRx, Canada’s national, evidence-based nature prescription program. This endorsement supports an innovative, holistic approach to health and preventative care, incorporating the proven benefits of nature in supporting physical and mental well-being.

Research shows that time in nature can:

Drop the stress hormone cortisol
Lower blood pressure
Improve mood
Boost memory and creativity
Prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions
Foster resilience and mental well-being in children

Beginning this summer, individuals with a nature prescription can access five free visits to Niagara Peninsula watershed conservation areas where parking fees normally apply.

Any licensed health-care professional including physicians, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals, can register with PaRx and write nature prescriptions for redemption with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Learn more and register to become a prescriber at parkprescriptions.ca.

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: August 21 - First Human Case of West Nile Virus (WNV) 2025
MEMO: August 18 - Rabies Vaccine and Immunoglobulin Supply