Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/ Feb. 1, 2023
Today, the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health held its first meeting for 2023.
Board of Health welcomes new members, elects Chair and Vice Chair
As a result of the 2022 Municipal Election, several new board members were welcomed to the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health (HPEPH). Jan O’Neill was elected as the Chair of the Board, and Michael Kotsovos was elected as Vice Chair.
2023 Board of Health members
County of Hastings: Kimberly Carson, Mayor, Limerick Township; Jan O’Neill, Mayor of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake (returning)
County of Prince Edward: John Hirsch, Councillor; Kate MacNaughton, Councillor
City of Belleville: Sean Kelly, Councillor (returning); Garnet Thompson, Councillor; Paul Carr, Councillor (alternate)
City of Quinte West: Michael Kotsovos, Councillor (Returning); David McCue, Councillor
Provincial Appointees: Dr. Craig Ervine (Returning): Dr. Jeffrey Allin (Returning)
The experience of returning Board members, paired with the new perspective and diverse experience of new members will contribute to ongoing leadership at HPEPH and the effective implementation of the HPEPH Strategic Plan.
Respiratory virus season update
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer Health and CEO, informed the Board that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu and COVID-19 activity in our region is declining and thanked the community for their ongoing resilience and commitment to following public health advice which has helped to manage the spread of these respiratory viruses.
He also encouraged residents to stay up to date with their vaccinations as it remains the best defence against COVID-19 and its variants, especially for those at increased risk of severe infection and for anyone who has not received a booster or been infected in the past six months. To check when you should get your booster use the Booster Dose Eligibility Checker at https://www.ontario.ca/vaccine-eligibility/
Visit hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking or contact a local pharmacy to find COVID-19 vaccination near you.
Immunization of School Pupils Act
HPEPH is in the process of updating vaccination records for local school aged children and youth. As a result of the pandemic and the related closures and delays, approximately 7,500 student vaccination records are out of date.
Letters have been sent home to the students in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties whose vaccination records are out of date and is providing clinics for these students, as well as working closely with local health care providers to assist in getting local students up to date. Parents/caregivers are reminded that it is their responsibility to update their child’s vaccination record with public health. This can be done at hpepublichealth.ca/immunization-reporting-records/.
For more information about immunization clinics visit https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/clinic/immunization-clinic/
Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week
Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week (SRH Week) takes place from February 13 – 17, 2023. This year, the theme is Get the Facts and Get Tested.
During the month of February, students in Hastings Prince Edward District School Board public secondary schools can visit their weekly school public health clinic to discuss their sexual health risks and access routine chlamydia and gonorrhea screening. The screening only takes a few minutes, is easy, and confidential. The School Public Health Nurse will follow-up and contact people who test positive to arrange treatment and ensure contact tracing is completed.
For all individuals who are sexually active, getting tested for STIs is one of the most important things they can do to protect their health. Routine STI testing is important because many people may have an STI and not have any symptoms. If a person does not know they have an STI they may pass it on to their sexual partner(s) and they may also be at risk of developing complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and/or infertility.
For more information about STIs, visit our website or call the HPEPH Sexual Health Team at 613-966-5500, ext. 418.
New nurse home visitation program
HPEPH has discontinued the Food For You:Food For Two Program (FFY:FFT) in favour of implementing the Nurse-Family Partnership Program (NFP), which is an evidence-based, nurse home visitation program that improves the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children.
The NFP program removes transportation barriers, improves access to programs for high-risk prenatal clients throughout our region, and provides significant health benefits to both parents and baby.
Eligibility for the NFP program is:
- First pregnancy or first-time parenting
- 24 years of age or younger
- Limited support and resources (socioeconomic disadvantage)
- Enrollment by the end of the 28th week of pregnancy
Families that are not eligible for NFP will be offered the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.
