March 2018 FYI

March 2018

Volume 23 ∙ Number 3

For Your Information

News for Health Care Providers

NACI Updates Pertussis Immunization Recommendations for Pregnant Women

Click below for the latest recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization regarding pertussis immunization for pregnant women:

Update on Immunization in Pregnancy with Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Reduced Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
Literature Review on Immunization in Pregnancy with Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Reduced Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: Safety, Immunogenicity and Effectiveness

The Pertussis Vaccine chapter of the Canadian Immunization Guide (CIG) has been updated based on the NACI Statement. For further details, please refer to the Table of Updates .

Local Cluster of Chickenpox (varicella)

Peterborough Public Health has been advised of a cluster of chickenpox cases related to Fleming College. A letter has been disseminated to students and staff of the college advising them of the potential exposure, symptoms and risk factors for infection. Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Infection Control, has also been advised. You may see patients presenting with questions, concerns, or symptoms relating to the disease.

Please refer to the following Infectious Disease Protocols from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for more information:

Disease-specific chapter on chickenpox (varicella) or visit www.ontario.ca/health and search for keywords “chickenpox chapters”
Provincial Case Definition for chickenpox (varicella) or visit www.ontario.ca/health and search for keywords “chickenpox definition”

Varicella is reportable and should be reported as soon as there is a clinical suspicion.

If you have any questions, please call a Public Health Nurse at 705-743-1000, ext. 131 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

School Suspension Notices

Immunization records are being reviewed for students born between 2010 and 2013 and notices are being sent to parents who do not have an up to date record on file at Peterborough Public Health (PPH). Suspension dates are from May 2, 2018 – May 24, 2018.

The immunization record on file at PPH is on the back of the notice. In many cases, parents have not notified PPH when vaccines have been given. If the record does not match your record (either dates or vaccines given) please fax the revised record to 705-743-2897.
For those who do not have any immunization record on file, we have stamped the notice with “no immunization record on file”. We ask that you fax the complete record to PPH.
If you do not have any immunization record for new patients who are in school or daycare, contact PPH to ask if we have one on file as our database is for all Ontario.

For more information or questions, call 705-743-1000, ext. 139.

Syndromic Surveillance

This report details trends in emergency department visits for respiratory, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as local institutional outbreaks and school absenteeism. Find the most recent report here .

Opioid Wisely

Choosing Wisely Canada has launched Opioid Wisely, a campaign that encourages thoughtful conversation between clinicians and patients to reduce harms associated with opioid prescribing. This campaign launched on March 1, 2018 with the support of over 30 participating organizations representing doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, other health professionals, as well as patients and their families. Central to the campaign is a set of 14 specialty-specific recommendations for when the use of opioids should not be first line therapy. These recommendations cover eleven different clinical specialties.

Click here for the recommendations specific to your specialty.

“ Power Off and Play!”

Too much screen time can harm early brain and language development, physical health and psychological well-being, and takes time away from healthy activities, like playing, moving and reading.

Encourage children and families to build a balanced day that:

Stays within recommended screen time limits;
Powers off devices before sleep and during meals and snacks; and
Replaces screen time with family time and fun, engaging instead in physical activity, social interactions, and educational activities.

It’s all about powering off devices and playing more!

Share the Parent Fact Sheet with your patients and post the Infographic in your office.

Visit www.healthykidsptbo.ca to see what the Healthy Kids Community Challenge is doing in our community.

RESOURCES for Health Care Providers

Referrals for the Infant Toddler and Development Program

The Infant Toddler and Development Program (ITDP) provides early intervention services and supports for families of infants and young children who have a developmental delay or who are at risk for delayed development. We have updated the referral form – please find it here: New Referral Form – IDTP

Find the complete, printable version of this issue and past editions of the FYI Newsletter

on the Health Care Professionals section of our website .