COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for some frontline health employees
News Release
COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for some frontline health employees
Iqaluit, Nunavut (November 30, 2021) – Minister of Health John Main announced that beginning January 10, 2022, the Department of Health will require mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for some of its frontline health staff.
“COVID-19 vaccines are our best defense against the effects of the virus,” said Minister Main. “Vaccinating frontline health staff will help keep Nunavummiut safe when accessing health care services and protect the stability of our health care system.”
Health workers working in many positions within Health are already required to have up-to-date vaccinations according to the Hospital Standards Regulations, as well as the Nunavut Employees Union Collective agreement. This decision will add a Government of Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine to the existing vaccines currently required for these employees.
The following Department of Health workers will be required to submit COVID-19 vaccination records to Health Human Resources by January 10, 2022. This requirement will also apply to new health care staff working in the categories below:
- Community Health Centre staff (including clerk interpreters, janitorial staff and administrative positions).
- Public Health Centre staff.
- Qiqiktani General Hospital staff.
- Continuing Care Centres staff.
- Akausisarvik staff.
- Cambridge Bay Mental health facility staff.
- Mental health office staff.
- All group 5 employees (Graduate Nurses, Registered Nurses, Central Sterilizing Room Technicians, Dental Therapists, Midwives, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses).
Unvaccinated employees may be accommodated in a different position or through regular testing. Each accommodation request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Considerations will include whether the employee is in a high-risk setting and the amount of direct interaction they have with Nunavummiut. The Department of Health can also refuse contracts with individuals unwilling to comply with these terms.
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Media Contact:
Chris Puglia
Acting Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
@email