More than 100 staff members at a Windsor, Ontario hospital are on unpaid leave for not receiving their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by a set deadline.
Windsor Regional Hospital says the 140 staff members who did not receive their first vaccinations by Sept. 22 have until Oct. 7 to do so.
After that date, the hospital says employees who remain unvaccinated will have work suspended or their privileges suspended.
It says the 140 people make up about four percent of the hospital’s workforce.
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A hospital statement says the final number of unvaccinated personnel after October 7 will likely be lower because some were scheduled to receive their first doses on Wednesday.
The workplace policy follows a directive from Ontario’s chief public health physician requiring all hospitals to develop vaccination policies against COVID-19.
Dr. Kieran Moore’s directive tells hospitals to, at a minimum, require regular virus testing for unvaccinated workers.
Windsor Regional Hospital and several others have introduced stricter policies that include possible layoffs for people who do not receive vaccinations.
The hospital’s executive director says the policy prioritizes the safety of patients, the community and team members.
“Our … team members responded by showing the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” David Musyj said in a statement.
“Individuals who have not complied with the policy and have chosen not to be vaccinated will not affect the delivery of clinical or non-clinical care to our community.”
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