THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is mandating full vaccination for all staff by Feb. 11 or they’ll face the option of being fired.
In a memo to staff obtained by TBNewswatch, the hospital says individuals not yet vaccinated must have their first dose no later than Dec. 17 in order to meet the deadline with and recommended eight-week interval between doses.
By Jan. 14 staff and volunteers must have had at least one dose. Those who have yet to get their first shot, or do not provide proof, will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence for up to two weeks, or until proof of their first dose is received.
By Jan. 28 those who have not received a first dose will be terminated for non-compliance with hospital policy, or be given the choice to resign.
Second doses must have been administered by Feb. 11.
The hospital memo says they’ve collaborated with 12 regional hospitals across Ontario’s Northwest to formulate the policy.
The policy applies to new hires and current staff, and covers all employees, credentialed and professional staff, active volunteers and board members.
The hospital acknowledged it will be a challenging decision for the small number of people affected who have yet to be vaccinated, but the need to protect patients, many of whom are high risk, is paramount.
“With the pandemic still having devastating impacts in our province and country, and with the surge in the new Omicron variant, this is a decision that had to be made,” the memo reads.
About 96.3 per cent of hospital staff are considered fully vaccinated.
