St. Joseph's Health Care announces more than 99% of staff fully vaccinated
The deadline for staff within the St. Joseph’s health care network came and went on Tuesday.
According to President and CEO Roy Butler, 100 per cent of physicians and over 99 per cent of staff received two shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Regrettably, 40 individuals have not met the requirements of our vaccination policy and their employment will be terminated,” said Butler.
Those who did not meet the vaccination policy came from different departments across the hospital network and make up less than on per cent of the total staff of 4,500.
“Nineteen of them provide direct, front-facing patient care, and 21 of the 40 would provide support service and/or administrative support,” Butler added.
According to St. Joseph’s, following the announcement in the fall of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, the hospital has been educating staff and physicians on the efficacy, safety and the importance of the vaccine.
“There is no question that vaccination is the most effective strategy and our collective fight against this virus,” said Butler
There was one physician that met the criteria for a medical exemption to the vaccine, and at this time the hospital is not requiring, but encouraging staff who are eligible, to get the third dose, according to Butler
“We'll continue though to listen to the experts from public health and from infection prevention and control as we move forward. But at the current time, the third dose is not part of our mandatory vaccination policy.”
Staff who have been terminated will have the opportunity to grieve the decision through the union or apply for new positions if they get the vaccine in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.