No July 1 implementation required by family physicians
Implementation of proposed changes to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) and regulations are on hold. The changes would have required family physicians to report immunizations provided to children for nine designated diseases to local public health units starting July 1, 2018.
As noted in our June 15 member communication, the OCFP and other member-based organizations heard many concerns from family physicians about how these new reporting requirements would impact workload. Those concerns, among others, were shared with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).
On June 20, Premier-Designate Doug Ford communicated that the new reporting requirements are on pause. He has committed the new minister responsible for health, once appointed, to work with the OMA to "prioritize an acceptable solution". The OCFP will also continue to collaborate with the OMA and the MOHLTC while it works toward the integration of immunization records with public health units.