Group of Canadian long-term care operators to enforce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy

A group of large Canadian long-term care operators will demand that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 this fall, with those who do not get vaccinated being urged to take unpaid leave.

Chartwell Retirement Residences, Extendicare, Responsive Group Inc., Revera Inc. and Sienna Senior Living announced the plan in a joint statement Thursday.

They said stronger policy is needed as a fourth wave of infections caused by more contagious variants of the virus spreads across the country.

“Frontline staff from every organization have shown an enthusiastic response to our voluntary vaccination programs,” the group said in a statement. “We thank them for their commitment, but we need to do more.”

Employees who are not fully immunized by October 12 will be placed on unpaid leave.

Vaccination will also be required for new recruits, students and other staff working with companies.

The group said it did not expect the new policy to have an impact on staffing levels, noting that companies are now offering staff access to immunization education, help with taking appointments and paid time off to get vaccinated.

He said these policies have resulted in “already high vaccination rates for staff which continue to rise every week.”

Thousands of residents of long-term care homes have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, as homes across the country faced major outbreaks.

The coalition of home operators said unvaccinated staff are more likely to operate the virus as infection rates rise again.

Their statement said the vaccination policy would help reduce the need for isolation and other restrictions for residents during an outbreak.

In Ontario, where more than a third of those who have died from COVID-19 were long-term care residents, the province has established minimum standards for vaccination policies in homes for the aged.

Staff must show full proof of vaccination or medical exemption, and those who are not vaccinated must complete a COVID-19 vaccination education program.

The Ontario Long-Term Care Association has called on the province to strengthen these rules by making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all direct care providers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 26, 2021.

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