Hundreds of health care workers at London hospitals remain unvaccinated
Hundreds of health care workers at London, Ont. hospitals remain unvaccinated against COVID-19.
The latest statistics come as vaccine deadlines approach at both London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care, that could push some staff out the door.
With fewer than three weeks until its mandatory vaccine deadline of Oct. 22, LHSC says 96 per cent of its medical staff and 91 per cent of its staff are fully vaccinated.
With a total staff of about 15,000 people at both its Victoria and University campuses, that leaves several hundred still without the COVID-19 vaccination.
Speaking at a virtual news briefing Monday, LHSC Executive Vice President, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer Carol Young-Ritchie said, they’re working with those still not there.
“What we’re really focusing on at this point is reaching out to all the staff who have not been vaccinated and offering any support we can. Certainly we’re a large research-based organization and looking to help those staff who might have questions, and also reviewing the exemptions that might come through for medical exemptions or human rights exemptions,” explains Young-Ritchie.
The organization’s rule on staff vaccinations comes as LHSC, like other health centres, deals with a nursing shortage exacerbated by the pandemic.
“We don’t want to lose any of our team,” said Young-Ritchie. “Everyone here is important in the work that we have ahead. But again, our focus is supporting our staff, and I think those numbers are going to come up.”
By contrast, St. Joseph’s Health Care is mandating that only new staff be vaccinated. Anyone on the job before Sept. 7 is being given a choice of whether to get the shot to continue working.
Those who decline must take a vaccine education course and submit to rapid testing three times per week. Staff and physicians have until Sept. 30 to declare their vaccine status.
St. Joseph’s says of those who have reported so far, 87.8 per cent have reported two doses (staff and physicians combined). This number reflects 3,990 individuals out of a total of 4,545.
Middlesex-London Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie says patients are at greater risk when health care workers remain unvaccinated, but he’s encouraged by the vaccine rates at local hospitals so far.
“Of course health care workers being unvaccinated would potentially put some of their more vulnerable clients at risk. It’s encouraging to see the high uptick we’re seeing at Middlesex-London Health Unit, London Health Sciences Centre.”
The Ontario Nurses Association declined a request from CTV News for an interview but issued a statement saying it encourages members to get vaccinated, but does not support penalization or termination of those who choose not to.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Have you been removed from your family doctor’s patient list for visiting an Ontario walk-in clinic?
Some Ontarians are expressing frustration after they said that they were removed from their family doctor’s patient list for visiting a walk-in clinic in a process being called “de-rostering.”
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.