Thousands of B.C. health-care workers defying vaccine mandate on leave

More than 4,000 health workers across B.C. could soon lose their jobs because they’ve refused to get vaccinated amid workplace mandates.

This mandate came into effect Tuesday, Oct. 26, and those workers who refuse to get vaccinated are being placed on unpaid leave. Health Minister Adrian Dix insists this is necessary to keep everyone safe.

Thread: Latest update on #BC’s response to #COVID19 confirms 133 of 155 patients in critical care right now are unvaccinated. @adriandix says up to 4090 unvaccinated health staff will their jobs if they don’t get immunized.

Highest rate is 7% in @Interior_Health. #bcpoli https://t.co/1Hj9LX3ULX

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) October 26, 2021

The Interior Health accounts for the most health care workers not vaccinated with seven per cent. In Northern Health, five per cent are not vaccinated, three per cent in Island Health, and two per cent in Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal and provincial health services authority.

“We’re also solemn today because we know the implications for people. And we know why this is a necessary step to protect people in our healthcare system,” Dix added.

Meanwhile, 119,627 health care workers are fully vaccinated and 2,626 are partially vaccinated.

Dr. Matthew Chow, with the Doctors of B.C., tells CityNews he has concerns about some healthcare staff not getting the jab, but he is optimistic the mandate will lead to positive results.

“The vast majority of us more than 97 per cent of doctors … have opted to get fully vaccinated … Those of us that are fighting COVID-19 in the ICU, that are doing the one on one conversations with people that are hesitant about the vaccines, that are out there, educating people, cajoling people, that’s really how we feel is that, ‘Hey, these work. These are our clearest and safest path forward.'”

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It’s too early for Chow to say how the healthcare sector will be impacted by the staff laid off but he expects there won’t be a “huge” impact.

“What I am hearing, though, from the medical profession is relief that there’s a mandate. We want to see that mandate,” he said. “We want to see more people get vaccinated.”

Premier John Horgan has said the risk of unvaccinated staff making their colleagues or patients ill is too big adding health authorities have had plenty of lead time to prepare for potential job vacancies, but notes time hasn’t run out just yet.

“I’m hopeful that the small number of workers who are still resistant to that will get the information they need, they’ll be comfortable with their choices, and we can continue on to provide quality service for British Columbians,” he said.