Category

Covid-19

By The End of 2024, Public Health Returned Close To 100 Percent Of Services That Were Paused Or Scaled Down During The COVID-19 Emergency Response.

By Announcement, Covid-19

BRAMPTON, Ont. – May 22, 2025. In its annual report to Regional Council this week, Peel Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani presented the department’s achievements in 2024, reinforcing its continued commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible services to improve the health of Peel’s growing and diverse community.

As one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario, Peel is home to a diverse population with unique health needs. In 2024, Peel Public Health made notable progress in meeting these challenges, advancing its mission to improve public health outcomes and address the social determinants of health through innovative, person-centred programs and services.

Public Health’s Strategic Plan is aligned with the Health Services transformation strategy, both of them contributing to Peel Region’s 2024-2027 Strategic Agenda.  In Peel, Regional Council serves as Peel’s Board of Health and has been central to Public Health’s 2024 achievements, which included:

  • 367 confirmed communicable disease outbreaks investigated in community and institutional settings
  • Administered 71,634 immunizations and distributed 908,300 doses of vaccine to Peel healthcare partners.
  • 8,418 free doses of medication distributed to community partners to treat and reduce the risk of spread of sexually transmitted infections.
  • 7,264 families with babies and young children and expectant parents visited to help ensure healthy pregnancies, births, and child development, as part of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program.
  • Provided oral health services to 76,744 children and 7,272 seniors through the mandated Healthy Smiles Ontario and Ontario Seniors Dental Care programs.

For full details on 2024 Highlights: Peel Public Health Year in Review 

Addressing the growing challenges in Peel 

While Peel Public Health made progress in 2024, there are continued challenges in providing health services to a growing and diverse population, including:

  • Increasing demand and complexity of public health issues.This includes Peel’s population growth, which is expected to surpass 1.6 million by 2030, creating increased pressure on public health services.
  • Insufficient increase in provincial funding, which has not kept pace with population growth, inflation, and service demands.
  • Advancing health equity:Many Peel residents face challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability and unemployment, all of which are linked to poorer health outcomes.

Looking ahead: health and well-being for all 

In 2025 and beyond, Public Health will continue to focus on the following priorities:

  • Stabilizing services to address community needs: Public Health will continue to improve program and service efficiencies based on changing community needs and strengthening capacity for quality improvement.
  • Continued advocacy for additional Provincial funding:Public health across Ontario continues to be underfunded, with public health units seeing only a one per cent increase to their base budgets over the past years.
  • Strengthening emergency, epidemic, and pandemic preparedness:Public Health is enhancing processes, training and supports to be prepared for public health-related emergencies, epidemics, and pandemics as they arise. For example, measles activity has increased in Ontario, reflecting global trends, lower vaccination rates, international travel and local outbreaks spreading in under-vaccinated communities.
  • Improving immunization efforts to protect the population from vaccine-preventable diseases:Public Health is updating its multi-year immunization plan to increase compliance of immunization among school children, a key priority population whose coverage was impacted during the pandemic. Public Health is also building on key partnerships with primary care and external agencies that serve priority populations to improve access to immunization across Peel.

For more information on Peel Public Health’s programs, services, and 2020 – 2029 Strategic Priorities for the Future, visit www.peelregion.ca/health.

May 27, 2025
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Peel Public Health recommends layers of protection for respiratory illness season

By Announcement, Covid-19, Resources

As the weather gets colder and people move indoors, the risk of catching viruses like the flu, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increases. No single measure on its own is 100% effective at preventing the spread of respiratory infections but practicing them all together provides the best protection. In the community, this includes:

  • Stay home when sick, and if unable to stay home, wear a mask and avoid vulnerable populations.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
  • Consider wearing a mask indoors, especially in crowded spaces where you can’t keep a safe and comfortable distance from others.
  • Get vaccinated and stay up to date with vaccinations. Vaccines help lower the risk of infection, work to reduce severe outcomes if infected, and aid your body’s natural defences to develop protection against disease.

Peel Public Health’s webpage dedicated to respiratory illness season will be updated throughout the fall and winter.

Flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is free for Ontarians 6 months or older, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. You do not need an Ontario health card to get the vaccine. The flu vaccine is currently available to people at a higher risk of getting severely sick from the flu infection. Initial doses are prioritized for:

  • Hospitalized individuals and hospital staff.
  • Long-Term Care Home and Elder Care Lodge residents, staff, and caregivers.
  • Health care workers and first responders.
  • Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes).
  • People 65 years or older.
  • Pregnant individuals.
  • Children 6 months to 4 years.
  • Individuals from a First Nation, Inuit or Métis community or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis, and their household members.
  • Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities.
  • Anyone 6 months or older with chronic health conditions.

Starting October 30, anyone 6 months or older can get the flu vaccine. Make an appointment to get the flu vaccine at:

  • Family doctors and walk-in clinics for adults and children 6 months or older.
  • Participating pharmacies for adults and children 2 years or older.
  • Individuals without a health card can receive the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine from a community health centre or local pharmacy and at Peel Public Health clinics.
  • Peel Public Health clinics – Starting October 30, anyone over 2 years of age can get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines at Peel Public Health clinics. Peel Public Health clinics will offer the standard dose flu vaccine, not the high-dose or adjuvanted formulations. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the high-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccine. You can book appointments online or by calling 905-799-7700 for Brampton and Mississauga residents, or 905-584-2216 for Caledon residents.

You can receive the flu vaccine at the same time, or any time before or after a COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to where to get the flu vaccine for more information.

COVID-19 vaccine

The updated COVID-19 vaccine (XBB.1.5) is now available for people at a high risk of getting severely sick from the virus. Initial doses are being prioritized for the same groups being prioritized to receive the flu vaccine.

Starting October 30, anyone 2 years or older can get the COVID-19 vaccine at Peel Public Health vaccine clinics.

COVID-19 vaccines are free to anyone 6 months or older in Ontario, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. You do not need an Ontario health card to get the vaccine. Appointments can be booked on Ontario’s vaccine booking website.

In addition to Peel Public Health vaccine clinics, some pharmacies, doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics and other providers across Peel offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Find a pharmacy location here and a primary care provider here.

COVID-19 testing

There are 2 main types of COVID-19 tests in Ontario:

  • Molecular tests, which include Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests.
  • Rapid antigen tests (RATs).

PCR tests need to be processed in a lab. Samples can be collected by a health care professional or at home using a self-collection lab-based PCR kit. In Ontario, publicly funded PCR tests are only available to eligible individuals. Find out if you’re eligible for a PCR test and where you can access a test.

Rapid antigen tests can be done at home, give results quickly and do not require processing by a lab. The Ontario government is making rapid antigen tests available for an extended time. Learn more about rapid testing for at home use.

To support ongoing access to COVID-19 testing through the fall and winter seasons, Peel Region will distribute free rapid antigen test kits to the public (1 to 2 kits per person).

They can be picked up at these Access Peel counters:

  • 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite B, Brampton
  • 7120 Hurontario Street, Mississauga

Residents who test positive for COVID-19 are reminded that they may be eligible for treatment. To be most effective, these medications need to be taken within five to seven days of when symptoms start.

If you tested positive, have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, follow directions from the Ontario government.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Through the Ontario government’s High-Risk Older Adults RSV Vaccine Program, adults 60 years or older residing in long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, and some retirement homes may be eligible for the RSV vaccine, Arexvy. If adults 60 years or older don’t qualify for the free RSV vaccine, they can still purchase it with a prescription from their family doctor or other primary care provider.

Visit Health811 online or call 811 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) for health advice and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Respiratory illness season isn’t new; it happens every year. We encourage residents to assess their own risk and situation to use the protective measures that will work best for them and their loved ones, including the recommendation for vaccination. Peel Public Health works with partners across the health care system, such as pharmacies and primary care providers, to ensure convenient access to those seeking a vaccine. This is the first year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that Peel Public Health clinics are offering the flu vaccine, and we’re hopeful that residents will take advantage of the many options to get a flu and COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Kate Bingham, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Peel Public Health 

October 24, 2023
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (August 1-31)

By Covid-19, Events, Issues, Resources, Ward 1

Please see below for upcoming school and community-based clinics for the period August 1- 31, 2022.

Cawthra Park Secondary School
1305 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga, ON L5G 4L1

11-Aug-22

25-Aug-22

9:00am – 7:30pm

Please note: 

  • Information on eligibility and booking can be found on the Region of Peel website for RSI and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • COVID-19 immunizations can be received through appointments and walk-in.
  • Appointments must be booked for Routine School Immunizations, as we are not able to accommodate walk-ins for Routine School Immunizations.
July 22, 2022
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Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (July 16-31)

By Covid-19, Events, Issues, Ward 1

Please see below for upcoming school and community-based clinics for the period July 16-31, 2022.

Cawthra Park Secondary School – 1305 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga, ON L5G 4L1

9:00am – 7:30pm

Please note: 

  • Information on eligibility and booking can be found on the Region of Peel website for RSI and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • COVID-19 immunizations can be received through appointments and walk-in.
  • Appointments must be booked for Routine School Immunizations, as we are not able to accommodate walk-ins for Routine School Immunizations.
July 15, 2022
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City of Mississauga Ends Declared Emergency Order and Rescinds Mandatory Face Mask By-Law

By Covid-19, Issues, Ward 1

On the two year anniversary of the declaration, Mayor Bonnie Crombie, with support from Members of Council, ended the declared emergency order in response to COVID-19. The emergency order was enacted on March 23, 2020.

In addition, to be consistent with changes made by the Government of Ontario, and with recommendation from Dr. Lawrence Loh, Region of Peel’s Medical Officer of Heath, the City of Mississauga is lifting its Mandatory Face Mask By-Law, effective immediately.

“The ending of the Emergency Order and the lifting of the mask by-law are huge milestones for Mississauga. And we’re only in this position now because of the enormous sacrifices everyone in our community has made. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all residents for helping us get through the most challenging time in our City’s history,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “As we enter this new phase, I do ask all residents to please be respectful of the personal choices others are make when it comes to masking, as everyone has different comfort levels.”

That means wearing a face mask when visiting City facilities is no longer mandatory and all businesses in Mississauga including condos and apartment buildings are not required to enforce masking in public, indoor settings. Residents however, may choose to continue wearing a mask if they feel more comfortable.

Masks are still required for all public transit in Ontario until at least April 27, which applies to Mississauga’s MiWay buses.

The Mandatory Face Mask By-Law was put in place in July 2020 in response to COVID-19.

For more information, please visit mississauga.ca/covid.

March 23, 2022
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City of Mississauga Lifting Proof of Vaccination in City Facilities Effective Today

By Covid-19, Issues, Resources, Ward 1

Following direction from the Government of Ontario, the City of Mississauga will no longer require patrons using City facilities to provide proof of vaccination starting today.

In accordance with the Provincial Regulations, the City will also remove all active screening, capacity limits and contact tracing, however the Mandatory Face Mask By-law will remain in place until further notice. Read More

March 1, 2022
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City of Mississauga Lifting Capacity in Select Indoor Facilities on February 17

By Covid-19, Issues, Resources, Ward 1

February 15, 2022

On February 17, the City of Mississauga will lift capacity limits in all community centres, culture facilities and museums following yesterday’s announcement moving Ontario to the next phase of reopening. Capacity limits will remain in place for entertainment and sporting venues at 50 per cent in accordance with new Provincial regulations. Read More

February 15, 2022
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Councillor Stephen Dasko Invites You to the Vaccine Clinic at the Small Arms Inspection Building

By Covid-19, Events, Issues, Resources, Ward 1

Working with the Trillium Health Partners, I am so pleased to advise that we have been able to secure the Small Arms Inspection Building for a 2-day vaccine clinic in our Ward!

It has been an absolute pleasure working with this fantastic team of professionals at the Trillium Health Partners, City staff at Small Arms Inspection Building, as well as Mr. John McKenna, one of our local businessmen in the community to share this very worthwhile event with.

I encourage each of you to share the news of the upcoming clinic dates and time: Sunday February 13th and Monday, February 14th, 2022 from 12:00 noon to 6:30 p.m.

Please see all the details on the flyer below.  Let’s get this message out quickly!

February 7, 2022
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City of Mississauga Reopening Indoor Facilities starting January 31

By Covid-19, Issues, Resources, Ward 1

January 21, 2022

Following yesterday’s provincial announcement to gradually ease restrictions related to COVID-19, the City of Mississauga is reopening many of its indoor facilities including libraries, community centres, recreational facilities and gyms, sports venues and cultural facilities beginning January 31. These facilities will reopen according to the provincial capacity limits that remain in place. Read More

January 21, 2022
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