November 25, 2009: Access to pH1N1 Influenza Vaccine – Update

To: Primary Care Providers and Alternate Delivery Agents

From: Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health; Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, President, Academy of Medicine Ottawa; Dr. Nadine Sicard, Associate Medical Officer of Health; Dr. Vera Etches, Associate Medical Officer of Health

REPORTING BARRIERS REMOVED for physicians wishing to deliver pH1N1 influenza vaccine

As the province has recently simplified the pH1N1 vaccine delivery reporting requirements, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) continues to encourage physicians who wish to deliver the vaccine to their patients to fax in an Ottawa Public Health Pandemic Adjuvanted H1N1 Vaccine Order Form- 2009 to the OPH Vaccine Distribution Office at 613-580-2783. This vaccine order form was sent to physicians along with the OPH letter indicating approval of your prequalification application, or can be obtained at ottawa.ca/health.

Note that OPH is presently distributing both adjuvanted and unadjuvanted pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine. Please indicate clearly on your order form if you want to receive unadjuvanted vaccine.

The only data-reporting requirement for physicians is to fax in a weekly report (every Monday) on the total number of doses given, using the attached form. Please use the fax number provided on the form.

Seasonal influenza vaccine

Earlier this fall, the province directed physicians to promote the seasonal influenza vaccine for people over 65 years of age. We anticipate that the province will soon provide further direction regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccine in other populations. OPH will let you know as soon as a policy is announced.

OPH looks forward to filling your requests for seasonal influenza vaccine through the usual process. If you have any questions regarding your vaccine order, please call the Vaccine Distribution Office at 613-580-6744, ext. 23738.