Vaccination Round-Up – December 23, 2021

VACCINES IN THE WORKPLACE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

With BC exceeding its vaccination targets, regulations lifting and the reintegration of employees to the workplace on the horizon, employers are now faced with trying to navigate the changing dynamic of vaccines and the workplace. We anticipate that changes to legislation could happen on short notice and have created this Round-Up to help employers stay informed in a situation that is so rapidly evolving.

Here are a few important things I thought worth sharing this week:

IN THE NEWS

British Columbia

• BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union contesting dismissal of worker fired for quarantine after travelling to the USA to receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vancouver Sun – December 19, 2021 – read the article here.

Alberta

• Calgary police officer who compared vaccination policy to the Holocaust in viral video has been fired. CBC – December 21, 2021 – read the article here.
• Alberta judge dismisses unvaccinated doctors’ application for vaccine exemption. Global News – December 17, 2021 – read the article here.
• More than 1,500 Alberta Health Services staff on unpaid leave as vaccine mandate takes effect. CBC – December 15, 2021 – read the article here.

Manitoba

• Omicron variant triggering renewed calls for mandatory vaccination in Manitoba personal care homes. CBC – December 15, 2021 – read the article here.
• Biweekly rapid antigen testing for vaccine-exempt workers could cost Ontario city $10,000 per month. CBC – December 20, 2021 – read the article here.
• Vaccinated employees in London, Ontario wary of working with unvaccinated co-workers. London Free Press – December 18, 2021 – read the article here.

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick Dental Society says dental infection control protocols sufficient, opts against making vaccination mandatory for dentists. CBC – December 16, 2021 – read the article here.

I hope you found this Round-Up helpful. If you have any questions relating to the reopening of your business or reintegration of your staff – our Workplace Law group is here to assist.

Please note that the next edition will be released on January 6, 2022.