AHS extends mandatory vaccine deadline

Alberta Health Services (AHS) says it is extending the deadline by which health-care workers have to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The health agency says nurses, doctors, students, volunteers and other medical staff now have until Nov. 30 to prove they’ve had both doses of a COVID shot.

AHS says it understands the pressures medical teams are facing in fourth wave, and is therefore trying provide ample time for staff members to submit their proof of immunization.

“We stand by the mandatory immunization policy and it will be fully implemented,” said AHS President and CEO, Dr. Verna Yiu.

RELATED: AHS vaccine mandate widely accepted by members

“We are extending the deadline to give all employees more time to submit their proof of vaccination and, if they haven’t yet, to get fully vaccinated. We’re providing more time so our workforce is as safe and robust as it can be.”

AHS says 94 per cent of full-time and part-time AHS employees and 94 per cent of AHS physicians have submitted proof of having two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. It says 97 per cent of ICU staff are fully immunized.

About three-quarters of casual employees have submitted proof of immunization and AHS says with those employees included, the immunization status of AHS as a whole is around 90 per cent.

“We would like to thank those staff members who have already submitted their proof of immunization, and strongly urge those who haven’t to do so as soon as possible,” said Dr. Yiu.

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“At the end of the day, it’s about protecting patients, continuing care residents, and anyone in our care, as well as looking out for our staff. We have a responsibility to do that.”

The applies to all AHS, Alberta Precision Labs, Carewest, CapitalCare, and Covenant Health employees, members of the medical and midwifery staff, students, and volunteers, and other persons acting on their behalf.