Dubé reiterates his ultimatum to unvaccinated health network employees

Health Minister Christian Dubé reiterated his ultimatum to employees of the health network who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19.

On his Twitter account, Mr. Dubé warned the 15,000 or so unvaccinated employees on Saturday that “significant measures to reorganize services will be announced this week.”

He had already undertaken to present a contingency plan next week, which provides for a reorganization of services in the network.

The thousands of workers in the Quebec network who are not doubly vaccinated against COVID-19 will therefore find themselves on forced leave without pay as of October 15.

He adds that the government continues to comply with the recommendation of Public Health regarding vaccination in the health network.

“The only way to reduce the impact is to get vaccinated,” Minister Dubé told them.

According to data published on Saturday by Santé Québec, the percentage of people aged 12 and over who received a first dose is still around 89%. It is also reported that approximately 85% of the Quebec population received a second dose.

Mr. Dubé said Thursday that Quebec health workers who still refuse to be vaccinated will not be able to rely on a religious motive to maintain their position and hope to stay in place.

The Quebec government announced at the beginning of September that “all health and social services stakeholders, whether or not they are in close direct contact with patients, must be adequately vaccinated against COVID-19, unless against -indication to this effect ”.

This measure aims to protect the network which is already under pressure, especially in Montreal, explained Mr. Dubé. It is also enacted in favor of employees and patients.

“We cannot accept that workers put vulnerable people at risk,” he stressed.

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