Hospitals for adults won't require staff to be vaccinated

But CHEO and other pediatric centres are requiring proof of vax for all workers

Despite growing calls for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all health workers, Ottawa's three adult hospitals will not require employees and volunteers to be vaccinated, as long as they are regularly tested and take part in education sessions.

The Ottawa Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital and Montfort say they are following provincial guidance, which takes effect on Sept. 7. The provincial policy encourages vaccination and makes reporting mandatory but falls short of mandatory vaccination.

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, announced the new directive last week amid growing calls for mandatory vaccination for health and education workers, among others. Under the provincial policy, organizations must have vaccination policies and everyone is required to report their vaccination status. Those who are not vaccinated can continue to work as long as they undergo regular testing before work and take part in an education program about vaccines.

CHEO and other pediatric hospitals and health organizations across the province have gone further, requiring all staff, volunteers, learners and contractors to be vaccinated.

“Imagine bringing a sick child to CHEO and all of the worries already on a parent or caregiver's mind,” said CHEO president and CEO Alex Munter. “They shouldn't also have to worry about the vaccine status of our staff when they access care. “This policy is one additional layer of protection for kids and families.”

About 70 per cent of patients at CHEO and other children's hospitals do not yet qualify for COVID -19 vaccines.

Ontario's largest hospital network, University Health Network in Toronto, will also require all staff to be vaccinated by Sept. 8. The hospital said it would place staff on unpaid leave if they aren't vaccinated by then.

But hospitals serving adults in Ottawa will not mandate COVID -19 vaccination.

An intensive care nurse at The Ottawa Hospital said Monday she thinks the policy is wrong.

“I'm a nurse at the ICU at The Ottawa Hospital and I think vaccines should be mandatory for all staff,” she said on Twitter.

“As a nurse, I fully understand the value of free will, consent, body autonomy, all of it. But I'm done with half measures and the fact that we're entering a 4th wave AT ALL means we should quit F*ing around,” she wrote.

At a rally in the capital on Sunday, another Ottawa nurse said she is frequently asked by concerned patients whether she is fully vaccinated. That is something patients should not have to worry about, said the nurse.

Queensway Carleton Hospital spokesperson Ann Fuller said the mandatory vaccination policy should help the hospital better understand vaccination levels among staff.

“Most of our health-care workers are naturally inclined to be vaccinated since it keeps them safe, keeps their families safe and protects our patients,” Fuller said in a statement. “It's really the paperwork that has been our challenge — getting in all the proof of vaccinations from staff, particularly parttime and casual staff. But the new policy will help with that,” she said.

Michaela Schreiter of The Ottawa Hospital said anyone who works in the hospital environment is expected to get the vaccine.

“As health-care workers, it is our duty to help keep people free from harm. Although we take several precautions to protect others in hospital, such as PPE, getting vaccinated is the most effective way to reduce the chances of COVID-19 spread in the hospital environment. The vaccine is safe and shown to be effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus.”

However, staff who are not fully vaccinated by Sept. 7 will be able to work, as long as they pass regular COVID-19 screening before coming to work.

“In addition, further education on the COVID-19 vaccine will be required by all staff, medical staff, learners and volunteers who are not vaccinated.”

Meanwhile, numerous organizations and businesses are requiring staff and customers to be fully vaccinated.

Most of our health-care workers are naturally inclined to be vaccinated since it keeps them safe ... and protects our patients.