Public Health Alerts for Health Care Professionals

COVID-19 Vaccine Program Spring Update

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: April 14, 2025
From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues, 

The Ministry of Health has announced updates to Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine program, including high-risk populations recommended and eligible to have an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of the spring vaccination program. 

• In accordance with recent National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) guidance, Ontario’s 2024/2025 COVID-19...

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Provincial Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis Program Update

Public Health Alert

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners

Date: April 10, 2025

From: Dr. Laura Bourns, Deputy Medical Officer of Health

Subject: Provincial Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis Program Update

Dear Colleagues,

Please see this memo from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on Ontario’s 2025 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) program.

Key Messages:

• The 2024-2025 infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program has ended.
• Doses of Beyfortus and Abrysvo should no longer be...

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Updated Provincial Recommendations for Measles Postexposure Prophylaxis

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: March 24, 2025
From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Updated Provincial Recommendations for Measles Postexposure Prophylaxis

Dear Colleagues, 

The Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee (OIAC) has provided updated recommendations for measles post-exposure prophylaxis for individuals who are immunocompromised. See the summary and full statement on Public Health Ontario’s (PHO) Measles site. We anticipate an updated version of...

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Measles Preparedness and Response

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: March 7, 2025
From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

The Ministry of Health has shared a memorandum today, entitled “Measles Preparedness and Response,” which summarizes the current measles outbreak situation in Ontario and reviews reporting requirements and vaccination recommendations. View a copy of the memo.

More information on testing for measles, managing suspected and confirmed cases, and reporting, is...

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Measles Update and Resources for Health Care Providers

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: February 12, 2025
From: Dr. Michelle Foote, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Subject: Measles Update and Resources for Health Care Providers

Dear Colleagues, 

On January 29, 2025, the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of Canada released a statement indicating that Canada is experiencing an increase in measles activity, with recent cases reported in Quebec and Ontario that are associated with ongoing outbreaks. These outbreaks are primarily affecting...

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