Hamilton Hospitals Set Vaccination Deadlines in November, HHS Reveals Non-Compliance Measures – Hamilton | The Canadian News

Unpaid leave and even termination are just a couple of disciplinary actions Hamilton’s hospital networks are taking on staff and doctors who have yet to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Thursday, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) President Rob MacIsaac laid out the requirement during a town hall for staff with an effective date of November 30.

“It is unfortunate that we have to do this,” MacIsaac said in his address to staff.

To date, 97 percent (11,750) of HHS’s 13,250 employees and physicians have reported their vaccination status and 92 percent have disclosed that they have received two injections of a COVID vaccine.

“This is an appropriate and reasonable start to our approach to vaccines,” MacIsaac said.

“Frankly, there is no excuse for not complying or not complying immediately if you have not complied.”

The HHS director went on to say that support will be provided to those who “procrastinate” or “waver” about the potential risks of vaccines.

He also called on those who believe in a “fabricated” or “simplistic” legal argument about a person’s right not to be vaccinated while working in a health center.

“You need to stop being so self-absorbed and thinking about your duty to our patients, your coworkers, and our community,” MacIsaac said.

Those who cannot get vaccinated for health reasons will need to complete an education session on their expectations amid ongoing safety measures and be tested twice a week.

HHS will implement progressive disciplinary measures this week, including suspensions of one, three or five days leading to eventual dismissal for noncompliance.

St. Joe’s announced a very similar policy Wednesday as well with a November deadline for staff, doctors, students, volunteers, and contractors.

The agency also warned of “progressive disciplinary action” for non-compliance.

The hospital has not disclosed to Global News how many of its roughly 5,000 employees have been vaccinated.

In August, Ontario’s top physician said the province’s hospitals only need unvaccinated staff to attend an education session on immunization, leaving stricter consequences in the hands of the hospital networks themselves.

On Thursday, an Ontario hospital clamped down on laying off 57 employees and suspending six for failing to comply with the agency’s vaccination mandate.

Windsor Regional Hospital said 4,155 employees and professional staff complied with the COVID-19 vaccine policy, representing 98.5 percent of the workforce.

Hamilton’s seven-day moving average number of COVID-19 cases dropped slightly from day to day, according to public health. The number stands at 33 after 27 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours.

Of the city’s 242 active cases, more than 70 percent involve residents under the age of 50, and 32 percent of all active cases are related to people ages 20 to 39.

As of Thursday, the city’s two hospital networks combined have 25 COVID patients with 10 in ICUs. The majority of those receiving treatment, 16, are in HHS facilities.

Hamilton General has the only unit in the city with an ongoing outbreak, linked to seven staff cases and one patient case. The increase has resulted in one death since it began on September 27.

The city’s public schools account for two-thirds of all reported outbreaks in Hamilton with more than 50 percent of total COVID cases. As of Wednesday there were 12 locations with 49 cases in total.

Overall, Hamilton schools have reported 105 total cases in the past 14 days with 95 among students.

Three outbreaks were closed as of October 6 and the largest was at Macassa Lodge. Over 22 days, the nursing home had 21 cases that led to two COVID-related deaths.

Another 1,655 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were put into the arms of Hamiltonians on Wednesday, higher than the current daily average of 1,347 injections so far in October.

Hamilton still lags behind most of the province by two hits, as only 78.3 percent of the city’s population has been fully vaccinated. The city ranks fourth among 34 health units behind the provincial average of two injections at 81.8 percent as of October 7.

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