Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

October 24, 2023

From:
Dr. Ethan Toumishey
Medical Officer of Health and CEO
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

  1. Update: Publicly funded influenza vaccines - ordering, pick up & delivery
  2. RSV vaccine
  3. Change to infant feeding service delivery

News & Updates

Update: Publicly funded influenza vaccines for Ontario - ordering, pick up, and delivery

Publicly funded influenza vaccine remains available to order. The general population is eligible to receive influenza vaccination starting October 30.

ORDERING INFORMATION

  • Fluzone® High-Dose QIV and Fluad: due to limited supply of either vaccine, vaccines will be distributed to administer to those 65 years and older based on product availability.
  • DO NOT DELAY VACCINATION TO WAIT FOR PARTICULAR PRODUCT. Supply is limited based on vaccine product.
  • Orders for vaccine for the general population can be sent now for pick up on or after October 30.
  • Use this year’s Influenza Vaccine Order Form. Do NOT use HPEPH’s routine Vaccine/STI Medication Order Form. 
  • All orders must be faxed to 613-966-8145, along with four weeks of fridge temperature logs.

PICK UP/DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Belleville clients – must have three business days between order and pick up.

  • Trenton clients – orders will be available at our Trenton Office location and must be picked up between Monday and Wednesday. If you are unable to pick up on these days, please call to make alternate arrangements.
  • Centre Hastings clients – orders will be delivered to your office November 3, and November 15.
  • Bancroft clients – orders will be available for pick up at the HPEPH Bancroft office on the following dates: November 13, November 14, November 27, November 28.
  • Prince Edward County – orders will be available for pick up at the HPEPH Picton office November 1, and November 15.
  • For more information, call our Vaccine Information Line at 613 966-5500, ext. 222.

RSV vaccine

Adults 60 years of age and older

AREXVY is a new vaccine recently approved by Health Canada for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV in people 60 years of age and older. Following direction from the Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario is rolling out a publicly funded vaccination program for eligible people (i.e., 60+) living in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and some retirement homes. Anyone who is 60 years of age or older and not eligible for the publicly funded vaccine can speak to their healthcare provider about receiving the RSV vaccine through private purchase.

If you are eligible for publicly funded AREXVY, please get vaccinated as soon as possible. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has not yet provided recommendations on the broader use of this vaccine.

AREXVY is given as a single dose. A 14 day period is needed between receiving AREXVY and another vaccine, such as COVID-19 and flu.

Talk to your Healthcare Provider

Always tell your healthcare provider if you have allergies or if you have had side effects from a vaccine in the past. Postpone vaccination if you are ill or have a fever. Check with your healthcare provider to find out if the RSV vaccine is right for you.

Where to get an RSV vaccine

Residents of Ontario long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and some retirement homes who are 60 years of age and older will be offered the publicly funded AREXVY vaccine through their home/Lodge when the vaccine is available and should get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The publicly funded AREXVY vaccine is not currently provided by pharmacies or through Public Health.

Change to infant feeding service delivery

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) continues to recognize the importance of supporting families to achieve their infant feeding goals. To ensure that Public Health Nurses (PHNs) are available to provide dedicated infant feeding support to those who need it most, we are moving away from a drop-in model to an appointment-based model only. The Baby & Me Drop-in on Monday and Wednesday afternoons will no longer be available. Instead, clients requiring infant feeding information or support will be able to access our services through the HPEPH CARELine. Through the CARELine, a dedicated PHN is available to answer your client’s infant feeding questions and where a more comprehensive breastfeeding assessment is needed, an appointment for an in-person consultation will be booked.

At the individual level, we know that breastfeeding is affected by many factors, including intention, initiation experience, breastfeeding goals, confidence, support from family, access to information, and quality breastfeeding support (RNAO, BPG. 2018). To provide quality breastfeeding support during the postpartum period, a full breastfeeding session must be observed and assessed to determine the quality of positioning and latch and the breastfeeding person’s level of comfort. In addition, maternal mental health should be assessed as postpartum mood disorders can negatively impact exclusive and continued breastfeeding (RNAO, BPG. 2018). An appointment-based model ensures that our PHNs have the time required to provide a holistic, comprehensive, and individualized assessment of the breastfeeding process as well as maternal mental well-being, to those who need it most.

For clients requiring infant feeding information or support with breastfeeding, please encourage them to contact our CARELine at 613-966-5500 | 1-800-267-2803 ext. 223 or to email us at careline@hpeph.ca

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

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

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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