May 2019 Board Meeting - Minutes

Publically funded immunization programs cover residents of all ages for certain diseases, i.e. diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hib, pneumococcal, rota virus, meningococcal (both children and seniors), MMR, chickenpox, hepatitis B, HPV, seasonal influenza and shingles.  Primary care providers are able to administer these vaccines to eligible Ontario residents.

The WECHU Immunization Program covers the following:
• Provides vaccine distribution to area healthcare providers to administer publically funded vaccines
• WECHU clinics for publically funded vaccines
• Immunization record assessments for all childhood vaccines
• School based clinics for HPV, Hepatitis B and Meningococcal disease
• Influenza clinics

There has been a growing number of people opposed to vaccinations, causing a resurgence of measles cases in 2019 across the world.  Confirmed cases of measles from January to March 2019:

• Canada – 45 cases
• USA – 839 cases
• Europe – 3,789 cases

Out of these 3,789 cases in Europe there were 72 deaths, a major concern for those who are not vaccinated.
Reasons for resurgence are a distrust of government, fear of adverse events, religious or cultural priorities, personal beliefs, misinformation i.e. Wakefield study (this research paper has since been retracted) and non-medical exemptions, which is at a rate of 3.4% in our area.

1. Regular Board Meeting: April 18, 2019
   R. Bortolin noted that he and Councillor F. Costante were late in attending the April 18, 2019 Board of Health meeting and asked that the minutes be amended to reflect this change.
   Moved by: Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by: Judy Lund
   That the minutes be approved accepted as amended.
   CARRIED

1. INFORMATION REPORTS
   The following information reports were presented to the Board.
   1. Q1 Financial Report
      With the upcoming changes in funding from the province, L. Gregg provided various scenarios of what the WECHU budget will look like over the next couple of years.  Our 75/25 split is now 70/30.  This 70/30 split applies to all of the funding pots which were 100% funded.  Going forward, everything will be cost-shared. With the regionalization of health units, there is concern once our funding split reaches 60/40, resulting in an increase in funding from municipalities.
      Changes seem to be occurring much quicker than is appropriate, jeopardizing the delivery of services with a reduced amount of dollars.  There will likely be consultation tables over the summer to provide feedback to the Ministry on the changes.
   2. Oral Health
      Brought to the Board for information.
   3. Vector Borne
      Brought to the Board for information.
   4. Measles Report
      Brought to the Board for information.
   5. Q1 Planning Update
      Brought to the Board for information.
   6. Q1 Strategic Plan
      Brought to the Board for information.
   7. Media Recap (Hand-out)
      Brought to the Board for information.

   Moved by: Judy Lund
   Seconded by: Dr. Debbie Kane
   That the Information Reports be received.
   CARRIED

2. RECOMMENDATION/RESOLUTION REPORTS
   1. Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Dwelling
      T. Marentette introduced Eric Nadalin, WECHU Manager of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. E. Nadalin noted that this Resolution had been passed in 2014 to restrict smoking of tobacco in all spaces of multi-unit dwellings, and was recently updated to include the legalization of cannabis, vaping products and electronic cigarettes. The restriction can only be enforced in common areas, i.e. public spaces, stairways, common rooms, hallways and elevators.  This restriction includes the medical use of marijuana.  Other cannabis products will be legal this fall which could minimize how cannabis users ingest the product.
      The following Recommendation/Resolution Report was brought forward to the Board for support and approval
      Moved by: Rino Bortolin
      Seconded by: Dr. Debbie Kane
      That the Recommendation/Resolution Report be supported and approved.
      CARRIED

1. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit – For Information
   2019 Ontario Budget – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott
2. Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care – For Information
   Public Health Modernization – Letter from Chief MOH, Dr. David Williams
3. Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – For Support
   Alcohol Consumption – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott

Moved by: Ed Sleiman
Seconded by: Rino Bortolin
That the above correspondence be supported and/or received for information as noted.
CARRIED

1. Appendix A – 2019 Q1 Strategic Plan Progress Report
   The above report was reviewed in conjunction with Information Report 6.1.6.