Hospitals in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory

People with approved exemptions must complete regular rapid tests before coming on site

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 2, 2021
Kim Zarzour

All York Region hospitals have announced a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for employees, physicians, volunteers, students and contractors.

The move, a joint approach among 14 hospitals in the Central Region, goes beyond the minimum requirements in the Aug. 17 directive from the Chief Medial Officer of Health, and requires that everyone who works at the organizations -- except those with an approved medical or human-rights exemption -- is fully vaccinated by Oct. 31, 2021.

Those with approved exemptions must complete regular rapid tests before coming on site.

"As COVID-19 cases are beginning to increase again across the province, and with the most severe impacts affecting those who are unvaccinated, Oak Valley Health has a responsibility to ensure we create the safest spaces possible for our patients, staff, professional staff, volunteers, learners and communities,” a statement released today by Markham Stouffville, Uxbridge and RCC Humber Finch hospitals said.

"This decision was not made lightly," Mackenzie Health’s statement said. "We truly believe this is our opportunity to help curb and eliminate unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19."

"At Southlake, we care for critically ill and immunocompromised patients," Southlake's statement said. "We also care for children under 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination, including in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and our pediatric cancer program. The safety of patients and our Southlake team members who provide and support their care is crucial."

The Southlake statement emphasized the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines, which have been shown to dramatically reduce the likelihood of severe disease and hospitalization. With close to 2.1 billion people fully vaccinated worldwide, vaccination is proven to be safe and effective and is the key to avoiding future lockdowns, the statement said.

The Central Region hospital chief executive officers and chiefs of staff announced Aug. 31 this approach is aiming for a 100-per-cent vaccination rate.

"To reach this goal, we are working together to support a shared, progressive plan to ensure all employees, credentialed staff and volunteers who are not provided with an accommodation, for medical exemption or under the Ontario Human Rights Code, to full vaccination will be subject to progressive policies beyond mandatory education and testing, which could include unpaid leave and/or termination for cause."