News and announcements

Thinking about practising in northern or rural Ontario?

If you’re considering practising in an underserved Ontario community, northern and rural incentive programs and supports may be available to you.

Visit our Northern and Rural Incentive Programs web page to learn more about available programs, eligibility requirements and how to apply. If you have any questions, please email us.

Share your feedback on standardized eReferral forms

Ontario Health and Amplify Care are seeking feedback from Oct. 5 to 25 on a new set of draft standardized eReferral forms for pediatric cardiology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric ENT, pediatric neurology or pediatric urology.

An annual review for existing forms is also underway for rheumatology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, mental health and addictions PCA and psychiatry.

Review the forms and share your feedback on the Amplify Care website. For more details, read Ontario Health and Amplify Care’s awareness letter or email ereferral@amplifycare.com.

Ontario launches fall immunization programs

The Ontario government launched its fall immunization programs today, encouraging people to get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines as soon as they become available to help protect communities across the province.

Initial access to flu and COVID-19 vaccines will begin next week for high-risk and priority groups. As of Oct. 26, free vaccinations will be available to the general public at participating pharmacies, public health units and physician and nurse practitioner offices.

Starting Oct. 1, the province will also begin access to immunization for eligible newborns and infants up to eight months of age in their first RSV season, and for high-risk children up to 24 months of age in their second RSV season receiving the Beyfortus® immunization.

OMA President Dr. Rebecca Hicks welcomes the start of the respiratory season immunization programs and encourages Ontarians to include vaccinations in their fall health-care planning. Read today's news release.

Guidance on market withdrawal of LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccine

The Ministry of Health has released direction on the market withdrawal of Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty LP.8.1 COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. Please discontinue distribution and administration of these LP.8.1 products and destroy all remaining inventory.

Updated XFG versions of the COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available in Ontario starting in late September with initial supply targeted to specific settings, including hospitals and long-term care homes. During this gap in supply, please advise individuals seeking COVID-19 vaccination that the new XFG formulation is recommended once available. We will share 2026-27 program rollout details once received from the ministry.

New pneumococcal vaccine for adults 65+ 

In a recent memo, Ontario's chief medical officer of health outlined changes to the publicly funded pneumococcal vaccine program for adults that take effect Aug. 17.    

Routine immunization for individuals aged 65 and older will change to the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (Pneu-C-21 or Capvaxive), which is expected to provide broader protection than the current Pneu-C-20. Patients vaccinated with an earlier pneumococcal vaccine are not eligible for re-vaccination with Pneu-C-21.   

Learn more about pneumococcal vaccines and access Ministry of Health fact sheets about the vaccine program.  

Help inform future resources on tick-borne illnesses 

Ticks and tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in Ontario. While clinical guidance for Lyme disease is already available, the office of the chief medical officer of health would like to understand whether guidance on the assessment and management of other tick-borne illnesses would be helpful for physicians. Take the brief survey now to share your thoughts by copying and pasting this URL or copying and pasting it into your browser: https://insights.oma.org/c/r/OMA_Poll_on_Tick_Borne_Illnesses

How AI scribes are helping doctors

AI scribes, which capture patient-clinician conversations and generate clinical notes in real time, allow doctors to spend less time on documentation and more time on patient care.

Read OntarioMD's blog, AI Scribes are the New Normal, to learn how these tools are reducing administrative burden and improving clinical workflows.

New FHO handbook – your questions, answered

You told us you needed a reference tool so you can spend less time hunting for answers and more time with your patients. Our new 2026 FHO handbook (member-only access) provides the information you need most – quickly and easily.

The handbook walks you through the 2026 FHO Agreement, including:

• Requirements for FHO groups and physicians
• Rules to follow
• Key compensation details
• Operational requirements for ministry-directed processes such as patient enrolment, group changes and the monthly revenue cycle

Whether you’re in a FHO, leading one or thinking about joining or forming one, the FHO handbook is your go-to resource for answers to your top questions. We encourage you to navigate topics of interest based on your specific issues or needs.

Beyond scribes: AI and your practice

AI scribes are helping thousands of clinicians reclaim time spent on documentation. But can AI do more than just listen and document? Read OntarioMD’s new blog, which explores AI-powered clinical decision tools and efforts to close the persistent gap between the latest medical evidence and daily clinical practice.

Easier access to patient drug information, health tools

Simplify your workflow and get important patient information at your fingertips with the Digital Health Drug Repository and EMR Contextual Launch.

The DHDR gives you real-time and secure access from your EMR to information about publicly funded drugs and pharmacy services, as well as all monitored drugs, regardless of payer, dispensed to your patients.

EMR Contextual Launch connects you with Ontario Health tools without leaving your EMR. This provides a quicker and more seamless process to view patient data.

Sign up for access to these tools today.

Finding and keeping great staff

A successful practice starts with a strong team that helps you do what you do best – care for your patients. We spoke to a Toronto-based network of clinics that shared practical advice on hiring, supporting and retaining staff to drive long-term operational success.

Be informed about privacy and security

Did you know one in three clinicians faces cyber threats? This new infographic shows you the risks, as well as other privacy and security facts. Learn how OntarioMD can help you protect what matters most — your clinic, your patients and yourself. Sign up for OMD’s privacy and security courses.