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
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.