As Ontario pushes deadline for LTC vaccination, the region details changes to its plan

By Luke Schulz

While provincial direction had previously required all staff working and volunteering in long-term care homes to be fully vaccinated by Monday, that deadline has since been extended – giving Ontario LTC workers until Dec. 13 to be fully vaccinated against the virus, or provide valid medical exemption. Instead, the initial deadline of Nov. 15 will now mark when the province's long-term care workers are required to have received their first shot of COVID-19 vaccine. 

According to a spokesperson for the Minister of Long-Term Care, that extension was rolled out to accommodate a change in the recommended interval between doses from the federal immunization committee. 

Stressing the importance of adhering to the policy last week was the Region's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Bruce Lauckner, who noted that the region was not satisfied with the progress in vaccine adoption being seen at regionally operated Sunnyside Homes Long Term Care.

At that time, Lauckner was hesitant to speak to the potential enforcement actions or incentives it could be doling out to those who refuse to be vaccinated in that setting, instead maintaining that the “policy is clear.” 

With those recent amendments to the province's plan, Manager of Corporate Communications with the CAO's office Lynsey Slupeiks said the change is “twofold” for those working in regionally operated long-term care, not only accommodating an eight week “optimum interval” between first and second doses, but also allowing employees the opportunity to be vaccinated up to, and including on Nov. 15.

If that requirement is met, staff may remain employed provided they receive a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine by the province's Dec. 13 deadline. 

“Staff that have not received their first dose by Nov. 15 will not be given an extension,” said Slupeiks. 

Slupeiks confirmed that 91.49 per cent of staff at Sunnyside Home are now fully vaccinated, while she noted that the region continues to work toward vaccination of all eligible staff in accordance with both provincial and regional policy. In addition, Slupeiks said the region continues to follow the directive from the Ministry of Long Term Care, and is in the process of finalizing the number of staff that “may be impacted by the deadline.”

A spokesperson with the province said 98 per cent of long-term care staff in Ontario have already met the requirement of having their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday.

 

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