January 8th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

Dear Members,


As you are aware, the COVID-19 response is changing rapidly.


As mentioned earlier this week, the Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council* is very active in provincial advocacy efforts. We are meeting regularly with many partners including the Ontario Hospital Association, Public Health, Ontario Medical Association, Ministry of Health staff and Vaccine Task Force representatives.  

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Highlights

OMA White Paper- COVID-19 Vaccination Framework in Ontario

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SHARED BY Ontario medical association

Shared Dec. 15, 2020

Shining a Light at the End of the Tunnel: Guiding Considerations for a Safe, Accessible and Equitable COVID-19 Vaccination Framework in Ontario

A COVID-19 vaccination strategy needs to include defining and prioritizing populations to ensure the gradually available supply is distributed with transparent criteria that consider protecting those most vulnerable. It must also include plans and guidance for vaccine distribution and administration that consider the specifics of each different vaccine and the different avenues for administration available and/or advisable in different phases of vaccination.Essential infrastructure in this strategy must include surveillance and evaluation to ensure:

  • Ontario has the data to understand where vaccination is and is not reaching populations•Individuals are receiving all required doses
  • Monitoring and responding to adverse events
  • Plans and resources for public education,such as vaccine hesitancy,that reach all segments of the population with clear and culturally appropriate information to ensure that the public feels comfortable receiving the vaccine and understands its benefits as well as its potential limitations.

While current vaccines have been shown to protect those vaccinated from experiencing signs and symptoms of the virus, it is not known if they also prevent its spread. Therefore,protective measures (such as masking, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene) will remain imperative even for those vaccinated to ensure Ontarians are protected as much as possible.This paper lays out considerations for each of these components to support the development of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy based on the insights and expertise of Ontario’s physicians and informed by consultation with key health system stakeholders.These recommendations are intended to begin this important dialogue and will require refinement as more information becomes available.

Return to: COVID-19 Vaccinations

General COVID-19 vaccine guidance released Dec. 14 by MOH

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SHARED BY Ontario's ministry of health

Shared Dec. 14, 2020

Summary guidance released on December 14, 2020 by the Ministry of Health includes the following:

Return to: COVID-19 Vaccinations

IBS/Low FODMAP diet: new video series

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Shared by the Thames Valley Family Health Team

This 4-part video series was produced by Registered Dietitians with the Thames Valley Family Health Team, with resources from Monash University and the Niagara Health System and in consultation with the Primary Care Dietitians’ Association of Ontario. 

Each video is 4-5 minutes in length:

  • IBS and the Low FODMAP Diet
  • Starting the Low FODMAP Diet
  • Re-introduction: Phase 2 of the Low FODMAP Diet
  • Maintenance: Phase 3 of the Low FODMAP Diet

 

To view the video series, please visit the Thames Valley FHT website here

Critical Role of Comprehensive Primary Care in COVID-19 Wave 2 Response

To: Helen Angus, Deputy Minister of Health
Alison Blair, Assistant Deputy Minister
Matt Anderson, CEO, Ontario Health
David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health (MOH)


Re: Critical Role of Comprehensive Primary Care in COVID-19 Wave 2 Response


Our calls to action in a joint letter to the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health

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COVID-19
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IPAC Assessment for Primary Care, Specialty and Walk-in Clinics during COVID-19

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Shared by Public Health Ontario

Shared on October 20, 2020

Resource includes:

This infection prevention and control (IPAC) checklist for primary care, specialty and walk-in clinics addresses specific items that are pertinent during this COVID-19 pandemic and:

  • Can support these settings in examining, evaluating (e.g., self-assessment) and re-evaluating their current IPAC practices using provincial recommendations (e.g., Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario) as required.
  • Can help guide public health units (PHUs), regulatory colleges and professional associations in conducting assessments/inspections related to IPAC practices.
  • Can support plans and preparation for the resumption of services during this COVID-19 pandemic.
  • From this point forward, the term primary care will represent primary care, specialty and walk-in clinics

Contents include:

1. Restart planning and preparation; 2. Reception and waiting area(s); 3. Screening staff, patients and visitors; 4. Positive screening: Providing care; 5.Personal protective equipment (PPE); 6. Hazard controls; 7. Physical capacity/environment; 8. Critical supplies and equipment;  9. Human resources/occupational health and safety; 10. Environmental cleaning; 11. Reprocessing of reusable medical equipment/devices; 12. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

Click here for the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment for Primary Care, Specialty and Walk-in Clinics during COVID-19 Checklist [PDF]

Flu Season - Resources

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With flu season upon us, below are resources to help teams manage vaccine delivery in the unique circumstances we find ourselves in.

 

 

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