Waterloo Area LTC House burns 14 employees who did not receive COVID-19 vaccine

The Waterloo area said 14 employees were fired from Sunnyside Home in Waterloo after they chose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The move follows a directive from the provincial government requiring all employees, volunteers, students and support staff at Ontario long-term care homes to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. them by November 15 or present proof of a medical exemption.

Monday was the original deadline for workers to be fully immunized, but the Department of Long-Term Care pushed that date to December 13.

The region, which operates long-term care homes, said it has encouraged staff to get vaccinated.

“We supported the staff throughout the process of immunizing them and I am delighted that we were able to increase our numbers and get more staff vaccinated,” said Region HIGH Bruce Lauckner.

“Unfortunately, some staff members have decided not to get vaccinated. Although we had hoped for a different outcome, we had to follow the direction of the Department of Long-Term Care. ”

The district says employees represent a variety of roles at home. It is working to fill the positions as quickly as possible.

It also said 18 of its other 452 employees have now received a dose of the vaccine, allowing them to continue working.

The province said 98% of workers received their first injection on Monday.

—With files from the Canadian Press

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