Mandatory Vaccine Program
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is committed to providing the safest environment possible for our patients and for our healthcare workers. Vaccination for COVID-19 is a critical measure to creating that safe environment. That is true more than ever today, after our healthcare workers have been diligently and compassionately caring for our vulnerable patients through the past 18 months of the pandemic and are now facing a growing fourth wave.
As such, St. Joe’s is implementing the Ontario government’s Directive 6 effective Sept. 7, which strongly encourages full vaccination of our staff, physicians, learners, volunteers and contractors.
The Mandatory Vaccine Program will be implemented in a phased approach, beginning with required reporting of vaccine status (already in place) and introducing required education and twice weekly rapid COVID testing beginning Sept. 20 for those who are unvaccinated.
All new hires to St. Joe’s are required to be fully vaccinated effective Sept. 7, 2021.
St. Joe’s is aiming for 100 per cent of its eligible healthcare workers to be vaccinated. If we do not achieve this goal, we will have to move to mandatory vaccination, just as other hospitals in Ontario have done.
St. Joe’s will support its healthcare workers throughout this process to become vaccinated.
“We are so proud of everything our healthcare workers have done through this pandemic,” said Ms. Melissa Farrell, President of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “Through this rapidly changing and demanding environment, they have shown courage and compassion, and have placed the care of patients first.
“By having everyone working at St. Joe’s fully vaccinated, we are taking the next important step to keep our patients safe through COVID-19. And importantly, through vaccination, our healthcare workers will continue support each other to create a safer work environment. It’s the right thing to do to protect us all.”