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
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.