Our agency
KFL&A Public Health is a local public health agency that had on average 180 staff throughout 2024 and 60 students who delivered public health programs and services to the people of the KFL&A area. The underlying goal of its services and programs — from immunization, nutritious eating, food safety, raising healthy babies and children, sexual health, tobacco and substance use reduction, and many other public health areas — is to promote and protect the health of the more than 209,000 residents of the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington area.
Vision
Healthy People, Healthy Places.
Mission
KFL&A Public Health strives to protect and promote health by improving health equity and working together with partners and communities to help residents be as healthy as they can be.
Mandate
We are directed by Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Ontario Public Health Standards and the Ontario Public Health Organizational Standards. We develop and implement evidence-informed policies, programs and services to address the public health needs of the residents of the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington area.
Values |
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Board of Health members |
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Message from the Board of Health Chair Wess Garrod and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza |
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Last year was the final year for KFL&A Public Health as an independent agency. While leadership and the Board focused on preparing for the transition to our new organization, staff across the agency continued to deliver the excellent programs and services that our communities have come to expect. Below is a snapshot of some of the key programs highlights and initiatives delivered by KFL&A Public Health teams in 2024. Vaccine Preventable DiseasesIn 2024, the Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) Team advanced several critical immunization initiatives: ISPA EnforcementThe team began enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) in January with 3,800 students overdue for required vaccines. Through collaboration with schools, health-care providers, and families, the number was reduced to 550 by April 2024. Enforcement concluded in May with overall vaccine coverage at 95.7 percent, and measles-specific coverage at 97.6 percent, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. COVID-19 ImmunizationCOVID-19 vaccination shifted to routine delivery in January, with a spring campaign focused on high-risk groups (e.g., long-term care residents, children under 5). A fall campaign launched in October targeting the new KP2 strain. By mid-November, 10.3 percent of all residents and 30.3 percent of those aged 65 and up had received the fall dose. RSV Vaccination ProgramEligibility for RSV vaccination expanded to include retirement home residents, with 601 doses administered and 81 coverage achieved, while the infant RSV (Beyfortus) program launched in October, with 969 doses distributed to partners and 80 doses administered through KFL&A clinics. The team coordinated access through hospitals, primary care providers, and the Well Baby Clinic. The Immunization team also spearheaded a health promotion campaign to inform the public of the new RSV infant vaccination program through social media and a fact sheet delivered through primary care providers. Substance Use Health and Mental Well-BeingThe Substance Use Health and Mental Well-Being Team led several impactful health promotion initiatives in 2024: Support Not Stigma CampaignThe KFL&A Community Drug Strategy Advisory Committee, chaired by KFL&A Public Health, launched the Support Not Stigma campaign in partnership with community organizations. The campaign focused on reducing stigma toward people who use substances (PWUS) and featured stories from individuals with lived and living experience. Social media engagement included thousands of accounts reached on Instagram and Facebook, and over 20,000 impressions on X, with strong interaction through video views, shares, and link clicks. The campaign website will continue into 2025. True North Strong CampaignDeveloped by the East Tobacco Control Area Network (which includes KFL&A Public Health) in collaboration with other Ontario TCANs, this campaign targeted tobacco use prevention among the “Outdoor” peer group. The campaign generated nearly 7 million impressions, over 1.7 million video views, and expanded its reach through a growing Brand Ambassador network and increased web engagement. Before the Floor CampaignThis harm reduction campaign delivered alcohol use messaging to the “Partier” peer group across 10 Ontario regions, generating over 6.8 million impressions and 700,000 video views, targeting young adults aged 19 to 24 reporting frequent alcohol use. Healthy CommunitiesIn 2024, the Healthy Communities Team delivered a wide range of initiatives, including:
Infectious Disease Prevention Environmental Health OutreachThe Infectious Disease Prevention and Environmental Health (IDPEH) Outreach Team worked in collaboration with community organizations to provide low-barrier health services across the region:
Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Early YearsThe Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Early Years Team achieved several milestones in 2024, including:
Dental and VisionIn 2024, the Dental and Vision Team expanded and promoted critical preventive services:
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Financial Report
For a copy of the financial report, please contact us.