Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

April 22, 2021

From:
Dr. Piotr Oglaza
Medical Officer of Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

  1. COVID-19 Real-World Vaccine Effectiveness
  2. Building Confidence in Vaccines
  3. Pharmacies Offering COVID-19 Vaccination in Hastings & Prince Edward Counties
  4. COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  5. COVID-19 Vaccine & Storage Handling
  6. New COVID-19 Vaccinations Dashboard Page
  7. Delay of Non-Essential Procedures & Surgeries
  8. Professional Development: Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic (II)

COVID-19 Vaccine News & Updates

COVID-19 Vaccine Real-World Vaccine Effectiveness

In the recently published resource, COVID-19 Real-World Vaccine Effectiveness - What We Know So Far, Public Health Ontario (PHO) has examined COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and effectiveness amongst global populations, including topics of COVID-19 infection and transmission, severe disease/hospitalization, and effectiveness against Variants of Concern (VOCs).

Building Confidence in Vaccines

To increase client knowledge and in an effort to promote informed decision making related to COVID-19 vaccination, PHO has created the Building Confidence in Vaccines resource that highlights best practices, communication recommendations and a list of resources for health care professionals to review with their clients.

Pharmacies Offering COVID-19 Vaccination in Hastings & Prince Edward Counties

As of April 20, 2021, individuals 40 years of age as of 2021 can register for COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca) at local pharmacies. For a full listing of pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccination and how to register, please visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

The Ministry of Health has released two new tools to assist health care professionals in counselling pregnant and breastfeeding clients regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

These two resources were released the day after the release of a statement from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada highlighting the risks and trends of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine & Storage Handling

An updated version of the COVID-19 Vaccine Storage & Handling guidance document is now available on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources webpage.

New COVID-19 Vaccinations Dashboard Page

HPEPH’s epidemiologist has created a new vaccinations page on our internal COVID-19 dashboard (password: dashboard). On this new page of the dashboard, health care professionals can view stats/features such as how many community members have received vaccines and which vaccination site has administered most doses to date.

For more information and updates on COVID-19 Vaccines in HPE, visit https://hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines/

COVID-19 Resource & Guidance Document Updates

Delay of Non-Essential Procedures & Surgeries

"In order to preserve system capacity to deal effectively with COVID-19, CMOH Directive #2 has been updated and requires all non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures to cease, with the exception of surgeries and procedures performed in pediatric specialty hospitals. Emergent and urgent surgeries will not be impacted. All patients should continue to have access to other health services, including services that are peripheral to surgical services.” (Ministry of Health, 2021)

To access additional up-to-date resources for health care professionals regarding COVID-19 please visit the HPE Public Health COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers webpage.

Professional Development Opportunity

Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic (II)

On Friday, June 11, 2021, The Ontario Psychiatric Association and partners are offering a FREE CME virtual event that is open to all healthcare professionals. Topics of the professional development event include:

  • The spectrum of grief, including prolonged grief disorder in the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Understanding existing inequities and how they interact with management of disasters to produce inequitable outcomes
  • Familiarization with aspects of delivery of telepsychiatry/virtual care
  • Exploring and promoting disaster psychiatry training in post and undergraduate medical education

For more information including registration, please visit the Program Details page.

 

-------------------------------------------

HPEPH is offering services by appointment only. We remain dedicated to protecting our community by providing local HCPs and community members with new information as it becomes available. Current information on COVID-19 specifically for health care providers can be found at hpePublicHealth.ca, Ontario Ministry of Health and at publichealthontario.ca.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: etubbs@hpeph.ca

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

You have received this email at from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health as a result of a request you have made or due to a service/subscription that you are registered for. While you may discontinue your subscription to this mailing at any time by pressing the unsubscribe button below, please note that this bulletin will be used to provide important updates about infectious and communicable disease.