(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

AHS extends COVID vaccination deadline for health workers by one month

Oct 22, 2021 | 11:42 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Healthcare workers in the province now have until the end of November to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Originally, Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced in late August that all AHS, Alberta Precision Labs, Carewest, CapitalCare, and Covenant Health employees, members of the medical and midwifery staffs, students, and volunteers, and other persons acting on their behalf would need to be double-vaccinated by October 31.

READ MORE: Alberta Health requiring all physicians, staff, and contracted providers to be fully vaccinated

AHS CEO Dr. Verna Yiu says they now have until November 30.

“We stand by the mandatory immunization policy and it will be fully implemented. We are extending the deadline to give all employees more time to submit their proof of vaccination and, if they haven’t yet, to get fully vaccinated. We’re providing more time so our workforce is as safe and robust as it can be.”

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To date, 94 per cent of full-time and part-time AHS employees, as well as 94 per cent of AHS physicians have submitted proof of vaccination for two doses. Over 97 per cent of ICU staff are fully immunized.

The vaccine mandate also applies to AHS’ approximately 28,000 casual employees. They have a much lower rate of submitting proof of vaccination at 76 per cent.

Taking both casual, part-time, and full-time workers into consideration, AHS says around 90 per cent of their total workforce has complied so far.

“We would like to thank those staff members who have already submitted their proof of immunization, and strongly urge those who haven’t to do so as soon as possible,” said Dr. Yiu.

“At the end of the day, it’s about protecting patients, continuing care residents, and anyone in our care, as well as looking out for our staff. We have a responsibility to do that.”

AHS has received just over 1,400 requests for medical or religious exemptions to the immunization policy, which will be reviewed prior to the deadline.

61 employees have reportedly resigned specifically because of the policy, including 31 in clinical roles (11 of whom are Registered Nurses).