News & Updates for Health Professionals

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Updated December 21, 2020
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Current News & Updates

New: COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in Canada
New: Adverse Events following Immunization (AEFI) reporting form
Update: FluLaval Tetra lots removed from quarantine
New: Government of Canada announces no-fault vaccine injury program for vaccines

Archived News & Updates - 2020

Date	Content
December 9, 2020	Alert: Quarantine FluLaval Tetra, lot # KX9F7 & #J442P Update: Changes to COVID-19 K-12 Student and Child Care Screening Tools New: The Province has Procured Additional Quadrivalent Vaccines in Addition and Flumist® by Nasal Spray is Also Now Available New: Shortage of Specimen Collection Kits for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhea Testing Update: Shortage of Bicillin® L-A for Syphilis Treatment Update: Shortage of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment Continues
December 9, 2020	Update: Grade 7/8 Student Immunization Program New: Checklist -Infection Prevention and Control Assessment for Primary Care, Specialty and Walk-in Clinics during COVID-19
October 21, 2020	New: TPH launches online booking for flu vaccine clinics Reminder: Roles and responsibilities for influenza vaccines New: Public Health Management of a COVID-19 Positive Patient
October 9, 2020	New: TPH Updates COVID-19 Community Case and Contact Management Process Update: Flu Vaccine Delivery for Toronto Providers Reminder: High-dose TIV Preferred for Adults 65+ Reminder: Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza (QIV) for pregnant patients Update: Public Health Ontario (PHO) Respiratory Virus Testing Update New: Publicly Funded Shingles Vaccine Changing to Shingrix® Update: Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidelines Update: COVID-19 Screening Guidance for Schools and Child Care New: COVID-19 Back to School Confirmation Form
September 23, 2020	New: School Reopening Guidance for Toronto Health Care Providers New: Influenza Vaccination during COVID-19 Pandemic New: Publicly Funded Influenza Vaccines for the 2020/2021 Flu Season New: 2020/2021 Flu Vaccine Delivery and Ordering for Toronto Healthcare Providers Update: COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
August 14, 2020	Update: COVID-19 Guidance for the Health Sector New: COVID Alert Exposure Notification App Information for Health Care Providers
August 7, 2020	Update: Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance Update: PPE for family physicians from the Ministry of Health/Ontario Health
June 27, 2020	Update: Glove Use during Routine Immunization Update: COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart New: Resumption of Visitors to Acute Care Settings Recommended Update: COVID-19 Guidance: Acute Care New: Reopening Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes Update: Guidance for Community Pharmacies and Independent Health Facilities Update: COVID-19 Testing and Clearance
June 1, 2020	Update: Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance Documents New: Mental Health Support for Patients and Healthcare Providers during COVID-19
May 20, 2020	New: Multisystem Inflammatory Vasculitis Update: COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance Update: COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document New: NACI Guidelines RE: Interim Guidance on Continuity of Immunization Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 24, 2020	New: Section 22 Class Order – Information for Health Care Providers Update: COVID-19 Testing and Clearance Guidance New: Guidance for Immunization Service Providers During COVID-19
April 17, 2020	Update: COVID-19 Guidance for Long-Term Care Homes Update: COVID-19 Testing Guidance Update: COVID-19 Clearance Criteria Reminder: Routine Vaccinations during COVID-19 Reminder: Animal Exposures and Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis New: Ontario Government Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Service Modified Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic
April 2, 2020	New: Management of Individuals who have not been Tested for COVID-19 New: COVID-19 Isolation Discharge Criteria New: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use During the COVID-19 Pandemic Update: COVID-19 Guidance and Recommendations Update: COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting New: COVID-19 Guidance & Recommendations for Long-term Care Homes (LTCH) New: Modifying Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) to Ensure Access to Care while Following COVID-19 Precautions During Toronto’s Overdose Crisis Reminder: Immunizations for Infants and Children are Essential
March 20, 2020	Update: COVID-19 Guidance & Recommendations Update: COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment New: Alternative Specimen Collection Kits for COVID-19 New: COVID-19 Recommendations for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes New: Toronto COVID-19 Assessment Centres Update: Recommendations for Returning Travellers New: Scale back of TPH Programs New: Routine Provincial Cancer Screening Program Change
March 6, 2020	Update: Lab Testing for COVID-19 & Other Respiratory Viruses Reminder: Appropriate Use of Eye Protection Reminder: Advice for Returning Travellers
February 27, 2020	Reminder: OGPMSS Year-End Inventory Shutdown New: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
February 14, 2020	Update: Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance Documents for Various Health Care Sectors Update: Testing for COVID-19 New: Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidance Documents for Independent Health Facilities, Pharmacies and Laboratories
February 8, 2020	Update: 2019-nCoV Case Definition Update: Ontario Ministry of Health – Question and Answers – Personal Protective Equipment Supply – 2019 Novel Coronavirus New: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Preliminary Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for 2019-nCoV
February 2, 2020	Update: Ontario Ministry of Health 2019-nCoV Guidance Documents for Various Health Care Sectors
January 29, 2020	New: 2019-nCoV Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting Update: 2019-nCoV Person Under Investigation Definition Update: Travel Advisory for China and Hubei Province
January 24, 2020	New: Diseases caused by novel coronaviruses are now reportable to the Medical Officer of Health New: 2019-nCoV testing guidelines from Public Health Ontario New: Guidance from the Ministry of Health on precautions for acute care settings: contact, droplet and airborne
January 17, 2020	New: Advisory Committee Statement on Zika Virus Prevention and Treatment
January 9, 2020	Update: Discontinuing Rabies Immunoglobulin Sparing Protocol
January 8, 2020	New: Cluster of Pneumonia Cases in Wuhan, China

Archived News & Updates - 2019

Date	Content
December 9, 2019	Reminder: Influenza Vaccine Administration New: Hepatitis B Vaccine Packaging Reminder: Ontario Government Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Service (OGMPSS) Holiday Closure
November 29, 2019	Update: Vaccine Hesitancy – Strategies to Support Primary Care Providers New: Etizolam Implicated in Several Overdose Deaths in Toronto Update: High Dose Influenza Vaccine Now Available New: Indicate Chickenpox or Shingles on General Lab Test Requisition Form for Varicella
November 14, 2019	Update: Influenza HD-TIV Shipments Reminder: Register now for vaccine hesitancy: Strategies to Support Primary Care Providers
October 24, 2019	New: Register now for vaccine hesitancy: Strategies to Support Primary Care Providers
October 7, 2019	Update: Changes in Ontario cessation supports – Smokers Helpline and Telehealth New: Expert Panel Q&A on Vaping Webinar
September 25, 2019	New: Publicly Funded Influenza Vaccines for 2019/2020 for Toronto New: 2019/2020 Flu Vaccine Delivery for Toronto Healthcare Providers Update: 2019/2020 Influenza Season – Lab-Confirmed Cases in Toronto
September 9, 2019	New: Health Canada warns of potential risk of pulmonary illness associated with vaping products Update: Interim Rabies Immune Globulin-sparing Measures
August 21, 2019	New: Interim Rabies Immune Globulin-sparing Measure* August 22, 2019 update: A minor revision in the protocol states that if there are multiple wounds, each wound should be locally infiltrated with a portion of the rabies immune globulin (RabIg) using a separate needle and syringe. RabIg can be diluted in a diluent permitted by the specific product labelling in order to provide the full amount of RabIg required for thorough infiltration of all wounds. Reminder:* Risk Assessment for Bat Exposures
August 16, 2019	New: Locally-acquired cyclosporiasis Update: Implications of the Southern Hemisphere influenza season
August 13, 2019	Alert: First Case of Locally Acquired West Nile Virus 2019 Confirmed
August 2, 2019	New: Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Shortages New: Changes to Formulations of Rabies Immune Globulin in Ontario
July 24, 2019	Update: Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
July 2, 2019	Alert: Carfentanil increase in Ontario New: Online Referral Available for HBHC Home Visiting Program
June 25, 2019	New: Measles Information for Clinicians New: HPV4 Replaced with HPV9 New: Interim Use of Engerix-B® Vaccine for Renal Dialysis Patients New: Health Canada Issues Gentian Violet Warning New: Closure of Motherisk Helplines
June 3, 2019	Update: Ongoing outbreak of XDR S. Typhi in Pakistan Reminder: 18-month Well Baby Visit – Role of the Physician
May 16, 2019	Update: Lyme Disease 2019 Update: Recommendation for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus New: TPH’s 2019 CME Event – We Need Your Input
May 13, 2019	New: Measles Case Confirmed in Toronto
April 26, 2019	New: Online Animal Exposure Reporting Tool Survey: Inform TPH’s New Dental Project Reminder: MMR Vaccine Recommendations
March 29, 2019	New: Measles Case Confirmed in Toronto
March 13, 2019	New: Extensively Drug-Resistant Typhoid Fever in Pakistan (correction)
March 8, 2019	Alert: Limited Supply of Shingles Vaccine
March 5, 2019	New: Potential Measles Exposure in Toronto
February 6, 2019	New: Potential Measles Exposure at Pearson International Airport
January 28, 2019	New: HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Online CME Module Update: Influenza Vaccine Supply New: Ongoing National Shortage of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

Archived News & Updates - 2018

Date	Content
December 21, 2018	New: Potential Measles Exposures in Toronto Update: NACI recommendation for measles post-exposure prophylaxis New: Health Quality Ontario Individualized Primary Care Reports
December 5, 2018	Update: Spotlight on Substance Use & Addiction in Primary Care CME Event New: Hepatitis Vaccine Shortages on Private Market Reminder: OGPMSS Holiday Closure & Delivery Schedule Update New: Td POLIO (Td-IPV) is No Longer Available
November 16, 2018	Reminder: Register for Spotlight on Substance Use & Addiction in Primary Care: Opioids, Cannabis, Alcohol & Smoking Update: Ontario Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Guide (2nd Edition) Reminder: Visual Screening during Well-Child Visits
October 26, 2018	New: Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases in Ontario, Including Toronto Update: 2018-2019 Influenza Season – Lab-Confirmed Cases in Toronto New: Register Now for Spotlight on Substance Use & Addiction in Primary Care: Opioids, Cannabis, Alcohol & Smoking New: Influenza Vaccine FAQ for Health Care Providers
October 19, 2018	Update: Order Additional Influenza Vaccine Now
October 15, 2018	Update: HD-TIV Influenza Vaccine for Adults, 65+ New: Changes to OGPMSS Vaccine Delivery Schedule Save the Date: Spotlight on Substance Use & Addiction in Primary Care
September 28, 2018	Alert: Listeria Investigation in Toronto
September 21, 2018	New: 2018-2019 Seasonal Influenza Vaccines New: FASD Prevalence Rates Higher than Previous Estimates
September 18, 2018	New: Non-medical Cannabis Legalization and Regulation – Recommendations for Health Care Providers Reminder: Encourage Patients to Exclusively Breastfeed until Six Months New: OGPMSS Toronto Client Vaccine Order Form Update: Herpes Zoster Vaccines NACI Statement Now Available Online Reminder: Toronto Public Health’s West Nile Virus Bulletin
August 22, 2018	Update: TPH’s 2018 CME Event – Substance Use & Addictions New: Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives as First Line Contraception for Youth Update: Rotarix No Longer Available from OGP
July 27, 2018	Alert: Toronto’s First Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2018 Confirmed New: Rotavirus Vaccine Changes New: Locally-acquired Cyclospora Infections in Ontario
June 22, 2018	Update: Paused Implementation of Immunization Reporting Change New: National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Recommendation on Herpes Zoster Vaccines New: Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL) Guidelines for Hepatitis C Testing and Management
June 15, 2018	Updated: Reporting Requirements for Immunizations
June 12, 2018	New: Confirmed Hepatitis A Infection in a Toronto Food Handler Update: Increase in Non-Travel Related Hepatitis A Cases New: Pride Month in Toronto – What Health Care Providers Need to Know Update: TPH’s STI Treatment Reference Guide
June 5, 2018	Alert: Measles Case Confirmed in Toronto
May 29, 2018	New: Increase in Infant Botulism Cases in Ontario and Canada New: Immunization Reporting Requirements Reminder: Monitor Child Development in Preschool Patients
May 17, 2018	Lyme Disease 2018
May 8, 2018	Alert: Measles Case Confirmed in Toronto
May 4, 2018	New: Changes to Ontario Reportable Diseases – Effective May 1, 2018 New: Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) Information for Health Care Providers New: Leaking Vaccine Syringe – Potential Risk of Underdosing
April 19, 2018	Reminder: Risk of Blood-borne Virus Transmission with Blood Glucose Monitoring Equipment New: Pediatric Dental Health Screening Guide for Health Care Providers
April 4, 2018	Update: Listeria Outbreak Update: Implementing the 2017 Ontario Perinatal Record – TPH Programs to Support Your Patients New: Reproductive, Family and Child Health Web page for Health Professionals
March 21, 2018	Listeria Monocytogenes – Clinical and Food Testing Guidelines for Foodborne Illness Outbreaks (PHO) Alert: Confirmed Cases of Listeria Infection in Toronto
March 13, 2018	New: TPH’s 2018 CME Event – We Need Your Input New: NACI Statement – Immunization in Pregnancy with Tdap Vaccine Update: OGPMSS temporary closure for year-end inventory New: Case of Mycobacterium chimaera in Toronto Reminder: Human papillomavirus vaccine is free for MSM up to 26 years of age
February 9, 2018	Update: Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness – A Clinician’s Guide for the Current Season Update: Provincial HIV/HTLV lab test requisition form
February 1, 2018	Update: Give QIV influenza vaccine to all unvaccinated individuals for the rest of the 2017-2018 season Update: Increase in Hepatitis A cases among Men who have sex with Men
January 24, 2018	New: Changes to Vaccine Ordering Through TPH

Archived News & Updates - 2017

Date	Content
December 22, 2017	New: Alternative Treatment of N. gonorrhoeae New: Reprocessing Resource Update Alert: 2017-2018 Influenza Vaccine Update: HIV and STIs and BBIs, Oh My! CME Event
December 1, 2017	New: World AIDS Day & Canadian Guidelines for HIV PrEP & PEP.
November 30, 2017	Update: Influenza Vaccine Supply Seve the date: HIV and STIs and BBIs, Oh My! Additional Session.
November 21, 2017	Update: Influenza Vaccine Delivery Delays and Temporary Use of QIV for Adults Update: Mumps Outbreak Continues in Toronto
October 31, 2017	Update: 2017-2018 Influenza Season – Lab-Confirmed Cases Update: HIV PrEP Update: “HIV and STIs and BBIs, Oh My!” CME Event Reminder: Influenza Vaccines by Age Groups
October 16, 2017	Update: Avian influenza A(H7N9) virus Update: Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS- CoV) New: Product Replacement Pediacel®
September 28, 2017	New: Hepatitis A Increase in MSM in Toronto New: Register Now For “HIV, and STI’s and BBI’s, Oh My!” Update: 2017-2018 Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccines New: Blastomycosis Cases Occurring in the Manitoulin District Update: School Suspensions for Elementary Students without Up-to-date Immunization Records Reminder: Clinics to Help Your Patients Quit Smoking
September 7, 2017	Update: Ontario’s Publicly funded HPV Immunization Program
August 25, 2017	Update: Increase in Locally-Acquired Lyme Disease Cases Alert: Toronto’s First Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2017 Confirmed Update: 2017 Ontario Perinatal Record Reminder: September is FASD Awareness Month – Role of the Health Care Provider
July 28, 2017	New: TPH’s 2017 CME Event – We Need Your Input Update: Eliminate Hepatitis – Role of the Health Care Provider New: OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare Program
July 17, 2017	New: Cyclosporiasis Investigation Update: Lyme Disease 2017 New: Opioid-Related Harm in Toronto
June 29, 2017	New: Hepatitis A Investigation in Toronto
June 26, 2017	New: Hepatitis A Outbreaks Among MSM in Europe, Chile and New York City Update: Toronto’s Mumps Outbreak Continues Correction: HPV Vaccine Eligibility Clarification
June 2, 2017	Reminder: Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia Reminder: Preconception Health Care Tool to Screen for Potential Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Update: Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations Update: HPV-0 Vaccine (Gardasil®9) 2-dose Recommendations®
May 10, 2017	Update: Rabies Info for Health Professionals Update: TPH Declares Measles Outbreak Over
April 27, 2017	New: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Screening Guidelines for Adults
March 30, 2017	New: Introducing Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s New Medical Officer of Health Alert: Measles Cases Confirmed in Toronto
March 9, 2017	Update: Recommendations on the Prevention and Treatment of Zika Virus for Canadian health care professionals Update: Mumps Outbreak – Cases in School-Aged Children New: Toronto Seniors Helpline 416-217-2077 Reminder: Group A Streptococcus Infections in Homeless Individuals
February 22, 2017	Update: Mumps Virus Continues to Circulate in Toronto
February 21, 2017	Alert: Botulism Risk with Baby Food Recall
February 9, 2017	Alert: Mumps cases among young adults in Toronto
January 31, 2017	Reminder: Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Update: Meningococcal Vaccine for High School Students New: CME Accredited Event March 22, 201
January 13, 2017	Update: 2016-2017 Influenza Season Reminder: Screening for Hepatitis B New: Pharmacists Now Able to Provide 13 Additional Vaccines

Archived News & Updates - 2016

Date	Content
December 2, 2016	Update: Low Stock of Tdap-IPV and Shingles Vaccines Reminder: Influenza Vaccination Reminder: Glucometer Use and Bloodborne Disease Transmission
October 20, 2016	Update: School Suspensions for Elementary Students without Updated Immunization Records Update: Resurgence of Syphilis and Lymphogranuloma Venereum in Toronto Update: Flu Nasal Spray versus Injection Vaccine for Kids
October 6, 2016	Update: 2016-2017 Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccines
September 21, 2016	Reminder: Ontario’s Enhanced 18-Month Well-Baby Visit New: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) Surveillance New: 2016-2017 Influenza Season – First Lab Confirmed Cases
September 14, 2016	MERS-CoV & the 2016 Hajj
September 9, 2016	Alert: Toronto’s First Human Case of West Nile Virus for 2016 Confirmed New: Publicly-funded HPV-4 (Gardasil®) vaccine now available for MSM up to 26 years of age New: Shingles Vaccine to be Added to Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Persons 65 to 70 Years of Age Reminder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
August 22, 2016	Zika virus infection in travellers returning from the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil Update: Availability of Bicillin L-A For Treatment of Syphilis
August 12, 2016	Update: Travel Health Notice regarding precautions for travel to countries where Zika virus is circulating Update: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Directives Rescinded
July 13, 2016	Update: Lyme Disease Testing, Diagnosis & Treatment in Ontario Update: Things That Bite: Rabies, Lyme Disease, Zika, etc. New: Test TPH Pediatric Dental Health Screening Tool
June 16, 2016	Alert: Recall due to Listeria monocytogenes- Neilson brand Partly Skimmed Chocolate Milk New: Truvada approved by Health Canada for pre-exposure propholaxis (PreP) of HIV Infection Update: New sessions added for Things That Bite: Rabies, Lyme Disease, Zika, etc. Request: Complete Activity for Chance to Win $200.00
May 27, 2016	Request: Tell Us What You Think About Communiqué Reminder: Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Complaint Investigations – Sterilizers in Community Office Settings Reminder: Infant Hearing Screening
May 5, 2016	New: Interim Guidance on the Management of Syphilis Cases in Toronto New: Ontario Expanding HPV Vaccine Program to Include Boys New: Register Now for TPH’s Things That Bite: Rabies, Lyme Disease, Zika etc. CME* Accredited Event
April 28, 2016	Update: Zika Virus Travel Health Notice New: Temporary change of DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine packaging
April 22, 2016	Update: Costco Food Product Recall Associated with Hepatitis A Cases
April 20, 2016	Alert: Costco Food Product Recall Associated with Hepatitis A Cases
April 8, 2016	Reminder: Meningococcal Vaccines Required for School Attendance Should be Administered On Time
March 11, 2016	Reminder: Hepatitis A Virus in Toronto Reminder: Order Free Menactra® Vaccine for High School Students Reminder: March 24 is World TB Day New: Reprocessing in Community Health Care Settings Online Course
February 11, 2016	Update: Zika Virus Infection Information Reminder: Syrian Refugee Healthline
February 5, 2016	New: Recall Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination Update: 2015-16 Influenza Season New: Resources to Assist Patients Experiencing Postpartum Adjustment Difficulty or Perinatal Mood Disorder
January 28, 2016	New: Zika Virus Infection Information New: Rabies in Ontario New: Rabies and Animal Bites/Exposures Webpage for Health New: Lead in Consumer Products
January 25, 2016	New: Immunization Information Notice Letters to Students