The threat against the unvaccinated has been lifted. Fearing the devastating effects linked to the lack of personnel, the Legault government is backing down on the compulsory vaccination of health workers.
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Being treated by an employee who has not received her two doses, but who wears a mask and is screened three times a week is now a “completely acceptable risk”, in the eyes of the authorities.
Yet, just a few weeks ago, François Legault was offended by the idea that an unvaccinated nurse “be close” to him if he was hospitalized.
First set for October 15, the deadline for getting vaccinated on pain of being suspended without pay had been postponed to November 15.
Once again, faced with the risk of service breakdown, the government is backing down. It will not force vaccination on current healthcare workers, only future employees.
- Listen to the interview with Yves Lamontagne, former president of the college of physicians at the microphone of Richard Martineau on QUB radio:
Even if he folded twice after ultimatums, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, refuses to speak of a failure.
According to him, having succeeded in reaching a vaccination coverage of 97% among health workers is still “a success”.
He claims to have taken “the least worst of decisions”. Depriving of the 8000 employees in the field who are still not vaccinated would have “disastrous consequences”.
Compulsory vaccination would have forced establishments to impose even more compulsory overtime hours and to systematically resort to private employment agencies.
- Listen to the Foisy-Robitaille meeting with Philippe-Vincent Foisy, Antoine Robitaille and Benoit Dutrizac on QUB radio:
Screenshot, TVA News
The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, announced Wednesday that his government is backing down on compulsory vaccination for current employees of the health network. However, this obligation will remain in place for new employees.
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No more screening pass
Healthcare workers who are not adequately protected against the coronavirus will continue to be tested three times a week.
But from now on, there will be no more privilege. “It’s non-negotiable. […] Those who do not want to be tested will be put without pay, ”he warned.
Quebec will foot the bill to prevent the costs incurred for screening from being used as an excuse by workers.
PCR tests will be used to screen hospital workers, rapid tests for people who work in private seniors’ residences, although they are not so effective for asymptomatic people.
No access to premiums
Christian Dubé recalled that workers recalcitrant to vaccination will not have access to COVID-19 bonuses or bonuses aimed at staff retention.
In Glasgow, where he is participating in COP26, the Prime Minister lamented that his government had to back down.
“It shocks me, to be quite honest,” said François Legault. Because I find it hard to understand that someone who has studied health refuses to be vaccinated. ”
- Listen to the meeting of political analysts Elsie Lefebvre and Marc-André Leclerc on QUB radio:
– With the collaboration of Patrick Bellerose
The state of the vaccination at the workers health
8000 Health network employees who are currently working in the field have not received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
5000 of these employees are in direct contact with patients.
97 % health network workers received at least one dose of vaccine.
Unvaccinated employees will be required to be screened three times a week, at state expense, but outside of working hours. The recalcitrant will be suspended without pay.
Unvaccinated employees will not have access to COVID-19 bonuses or retention bonuses.
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