Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

October 4, 2022

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

In this Issue:

1. Suspected inrease in deaths related to drug poisoning
2. COVID-19 vaccine update
   • Moderna Spikevax Bivalent
   • Pediatric Monovalent

3. Rowan's Law

News & Updates

Increase in local deaths that are suspected to be related to drug poisoning

Today Hastings Prince Edward Public Health issued an alert regarding an increase in suspected drug poisonings that have occurred locally.

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is aware of approximately 5 deaths during the period of September 19-26 which are suspected to be drug related. In efforts to prevent more harm to people use who drugs, we have issued a community alert. This number of suspected drug poisonings is four times as high as the weekly median for last year. We encourage the public to never use drugs alone or if you must use alone please call the National Overdose Response Service (1-888-688-NORS (6677)) who will stay on the phone with while a person is using their drug of choice.

Further details are provided in the attached link of the news release and community notice. Please post and share the community notice among partners and clients to help us reach this population.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Moderna Spikevax Bivalent (Original / Omicron BA.1 Variant) Booster

• Provides good protection against both Omicron BA.4 & 5
• For more information: COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Version 1

Summary from guidance:

As of September 26, 2022, individuals 18 years of age or older without contraindications, are eligible for the 0.5 mL booster dose (50 mcg of mRNA) ≥ 6 months (3 mo with informed consent) after primary series or previous booster. This is regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.

*If patients want to book prior to 6 months they must call the provincial line as online system will not allow it.

Note: There is no difference in the risk of myocarditis for adults 18 to 29 years of age between Pfizer and Moderna with boosters, so either vaccine is recommended. Moderna is still not recommended for a primary series in persons 18-29 years of age due to the slightly increased risk of myocarditis.

Priority for this vaccine will be given to the following persons, dependent on vaccine supply:

• Residents of LTCHs, RHs, Elder Care Lodges, and adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
• HCWs 18 years of age or older;
• Individuals ≥ 70 years of age;
• FNIM and non-Indigenous household members ≥ 18 yrs of age;
• Pregnant individuals ≥ 18 yrs of age;
• Individuals who are ≥12 yrs of age with moderately to severe immunocompromising conditions.

Note: Adolescents 12 to 17 yrs of age with moderately to severe immunocompromising conditions may be offered Moderna Bivalent booster, off-label, with informed consent based on clinical discretion.

Pediatric monovalent COVID-19 vaccine – 6 months to 4 years of age

• NEW – Pfizer 3 dose primary series (3 mcg) with recommended interval of 56 days between each dose.
• Moderna (25mcg) 2 dose primary series with recommended interval of 56 days between each dose.
• Either product may be used for pediatric series; however, it is recommended that the same vaccine product be used for all doses in the primary series. If a child in this age group receives different products for their first two doses, a third dose is recommended to complete the series.

COVID Vaccine Resources:

• NACI Recommendations on the use of bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Sept 1, 2022
• Spikevax Bivalent Original / Omicron product monograph
• COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations Guidance – Health Canada
• NEW COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance - is a combination of the following previous guidance documents:
• COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
• COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations
• COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations
• COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose Recommendations

Rowan's Law

On January 1, 2022, the removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols came into effect for Rowans’ Law (Concussion Safety), 2018. To support the implementation of the protocols, the Ministry of Health has developed:

Rowan’s Law: Information for health care providers | ontario.ca

This resource is intended to increase awareness among health care providers regarding Rowan’s Law, what the requirements are, and to provide resources to support their work. Under the Rowan’s Law regulation (O. Reg. 161/19), sport organizations must comply with a number of requirements to help prevent and mitigate brain injuries such as concussions in sports. With the new protocols, athletes who have sustained a concussion, or are suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be removed from further training, practice, or competition, and cannot return to full participation in amateur competitive sport until medically assessed and cleared by a physician or nurse practitioner.

For additional information, please visit Rowan’s Law: Concussion safety | ontario.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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