Region’s top doc updates council ahead of flu season

Waterloo Region’s Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, provided council with the Board of Health update this week, as the respiratory illness season gets going.

The first part of the update focused on the provincial measles outbreak, which has been declared over by the province. Dr. Wang went over those numbers before focusing on the region.

“Ontario has reported a total of 2,375 measles cases associated with the multijurisdictional outbreak occurring in 26 public health units” she said.

“Region of Waterloo reported 111 cases with the last case reported in June. This represents just under 5 per cent of the total cases seen in the province.”

Dr. Wang also mentioned the public health staff administered 1,722 vaccine doses through 59 additional measles vaccination clinics and responded to over 1,100 calls to support residents and prevent further spread.

She then moved on student vaccines.

“As part of our ongoing vigilance and health protection efforts, we will be conducting our annual enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act,” adding, “more information will be made available in the coming weeks about this year’s enforcement and suspension dates.”

As far as respiratory and gastrointestinal illness season preparations go, Dr. Wang said they are well underway.

“COVID and flu vaccines will become available to the general public as of Monday, Oct. 27, at participating pharmacies and participating doctor and nurse practitioner offices. Appointments at public health clinics will be available for individuals who are high risk or don’t have an Ontario health card.”

She went on to say that last year, public health managed 201 respiratory outbreaks and 137 gastrointestinal outbreaks in institutions, congregate living settings and daycare settings.

Part of their efforts includes supporting long-term care and retirement homes with vaccine distribution while also providing on-site vaccination clinics for those without OHIP coverage or a family doctor.

Last year, the agency doled out 490 RSV shots to residents in retirement homes and another 878 doses in long-term care homes.

Dr. Wang concluded her update to regional council by saying, “A comprehensive report detailing our response and collaborative efforts with system partners for the past season and plans for the upcoming season will be part of the community and health services committee agenda in November.”