Niagara Health fires 61 employees for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations

When Niagara Health, the group in charge of all hospitals and clinics in Niagara Region, set an April 7 deadline for employees being double-dosed against COVID-19, they were not kidding.

The deadline came and passed yesterday and true to their word, 61 Niagara Health employees were let go.

“Unfortunately, 61 individuals who worked in both clinical and non-clinical areas have chosen not to comply with the policy, and we have ceased their employment with Niagara Health effective today (April 7),” said Niagara Health i a statement. “Plans are in place to minimize any disruption to our services.”

While they didn’t say if any of those left go were doctors or nurse, they did note that their policy was “All staff and physicians who work at Niagara Health are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have an approved exemption.”

Nonetheless, the health unit did have a remarkably impressive vaccination record with 6,100 employees – or 98.7 per cent – all getting their jabs.

“We have worked hard over the last several months to provide support by answering COVID-19 questions, educating about vaccine benefits and safety, and offering vaccination clinics on site,” the health unit said of its efforts.

They noted that, “Mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 is a requirement at the majority of Ontario hospitals. The Province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, has encouraged all healthcare workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up to date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including additional doses that are recommended as soon as they are eligible.”