Many companies in the province along with businesses in other parts of the country are beginning to create vaccination mandates for employees. Alberta Health Services announced it will be no exception as they will now require all employees and contracted healthcare providers to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 by October 31, 2021.
The latest an employee could receive their second dose to be in compliance with the new policy is Oct 16, 2021, which allows for the two weeks that must pass to be considered fully immunized.
AHS says the new policy applies to all Alberta Health Services, Alberta Precision Labs, Carewest, CapitalCare and Covenant Health employees, members of the medical and midwifery staffs, students, and volunteers, and other persons acting on their behalf.
“This is an extraordinary but necessary measure to help protect our vital frontline healthcare teams and help us maintain a safe environment for all patients and clients” said Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services. “Over the last year and a half, our teams have continued to provide incredible care to anyone who needs it, under extremely trying circumstances. We are grateful for their efforts and are committed to ensuring the safety of our facilities.”
Any AHS employee unable to be immunized due to a medical reason or for another protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act will be reasonably accommodated. The policy document will be finalized following a period of union and stakeholder consultation.
This announcement could create further issue for the northwestern region of the province as vaccinations are at an alarmingly low rate, Click here to see map of fully vaccinated Albertans. The healthcare system has also been strained due to multiple temporary facility closures from lack of physician care available.
-Calvin Hector, Trending 55 Newsroom
