Colleagues,

The past week has been notable for the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccines in several primary care offices across six Public Health Units (PHU).  I’ve been following the progress and am incredibly proud of the skill, enthusiasm and hard work of those family doctors and their teams who took on this challenge with short notice and quick timelines. They are getting the job done, all while keeping their clinics open for patient care, and on track to use their AZ allotment.

Early experiences affirm we can effectively and safely integrate vaccination in office, and that public health, OHTs and hospitals are important partners to the process. At the same time, there are operational challenges to address which include the administrative work associated with COVaxON, managing post-vaccine care given IPAC requirements, and integration of this work with our existing clinical workload – especially since vaccine supply may not be predictable. We will keep you updated on these learnings.

Outside of these pilots, we know many of you are actively involved in planning and providing vaccination in a variety of other settings – including mass clinics, mobile clinics, and drive-throughs – as well as educating your patients about the vaccines. Our profession has stepped up incredibly throughout this pandemic, and it’s critical we continue to have an important role in the vaccine rollout going forward.

Our patients trust us and want us involved in the rollout, and so do we. The OCFP is tirelessly advocating for your vital role at many tables, and amplifying messages with our partners in family medicine and primary care.

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VACCINE RESOURCES | INFORMATION UPDATES

• The OCFP has compiled answers to the top questions from members and the public. Topics include the delayed second dose and vaccinated people gathering.
• For your patients, you can use/adapt this script about safety of the AZ vaccine, based on today’s guidance from the European Medicines Agency.
• The CEP has developed this one-page vaccine comparison table and a vaccine aftercare one-pager for patients.
• The DFCM/OCFP free e-learning series on COVID-19 vaccination is updated continuously and certified for up to 1 Mainpro+®
• Practical “toolkits” for vaccination: a Toronto Region Vaccine Human Resource Strategy with tips on models, roles, sources and training; and the COVID-19 Immunization Toolkit for clinics.
• In updated guidance on healthcare worker prioritization, just released by the Ministry of Health, family doctors remain a “very high priority” for vaccination (see page 10-11).
• This infographic created by Ottawa’s Dr. Anna Wilkinson summarizes cancer patients and COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, and Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) has prepared these clinician-focused FAQs and answers.
• Cancer screening remains well below pre-pandemic levels – this CCO two-page tip sheet can help you prioritize cancer screening.
• The Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health developed a decision aid for pregnant and breastfeeding women considering the vaccine.

OCFP EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES

• Register for our next COVID-19 Community of Practice session, Friday, March 26, 8 to 9 a.m. (ET), for updates on the vaccine and vaccine rollout including the pilots.  
• The OCFP is seeking up to five family physicians to join our Board of Directors for the term beginning September 2021. Learn more here about how you can help us deliver on our vision, “Family Physicians – Leaders for a Healthy Ontario.” Nominations due April 5, 2021.
• It’s not too late to benefit from the OCFP’s Family Medicine Summit – you can access conference sessions on demand, until July 31, 2021, and still earn up to 65 Mainpro+ credits.
• Our inaugural Practising Well Community of Practice session on March 5th focused on physician wellness. Check out the psychological first aid tools and aid for handling acute distress presented by Dr. Marcia Kostenuik. Access the full session and resources here and stay tuned for details of the next session, April 26, 8 to 9 a.m. (ET)

OTHER LEARNIG INITIATIVES

• The OMA has relaunched its physician burnout survey to gauge the impacts of the pandemic, closes March 26.
• The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council presents Wise Practices for COVID Vaccinators on March 23, 1 to 2 p.m., on providing vaccinations to on-reserve First Nations or Indigenous populations in urban settings.
• PHO’s Learning Exchange webinar, Youth & Cannabis Use: Landscape in Canada on March 25, 1 to 2 p.m (expect this will be recorded).
• Ontario Health’s new tools for low back pain, osteoarthritis, and anxiety disorders.

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I am looking forward to the Spring and warm weather along with an increasing supply of vaccines, and the opportunity this will provide to protect our patients and ourselves. Know that we continue to work hard to support you in all of our work at the OCFP whether through advocacy, our communications, or providing clinical tools and education.

Liz