Item - 2014.HL34.4
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on November 17, 2014 and was adopted without amendment.
HL34.4 - 2014 Influenza Update
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Endorsed the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination (vaccination or mask) Policy.
2. Requested the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to implement an influenza vaccination or mask policy for all Ontario Health Care Workers (HCWs).
3. Reiterated its request of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to include annual institutional Health Care Workers (HCWs) influenza immunization coverage rates as an indicator within the publicly reported Ontario Patient Safety Initiatives.
4. Requested the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to include, free of charge, the influenza vaccine nasal spray (FluMist®) for children age two to six years old, as part of the province's Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).
5. Forwarded the report (October 31, 2014) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, Public Health Ontario, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, and the Ontario Public Health Association.
Origin
Summary
This report provides an overview of the 2013-14 influenza season, as well as a description of Toronto Public Health's (TPH) planned activities for the 2014-15 influenza season. This includes initiatives designed to increase influenza immunization rates of healthcare workers (HCWs) in healthcare facilities and a description of an approach to influenza prevention being used by 12 Toronto area hospitals that are members of the Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN), that are implementing an influenza “vaccination or mask" policy.
This report also provides an update on TPH's pandemic influenza preparedness activities – an ongoing planning process to ensure public health preparedness and organized response activities in the event of a pandemic.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-73633.pdf