Hamilton businesses should address workplace COVID-19 vaccination policy: medical officer

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Published August 30, 2021 at 4:14 pm

Hamilton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, is strongly recommending that local employers address the need for a COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy to protect their employees and their customers from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

Hamilton’s medical officer is “strongly recommending” that local employers address a COVID-19 workplace vaccination policy.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson said Monday (Aug. 30) that such a policy would help protect employees and customers from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

“These workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies should explain their purpose, specific actions employees must take, including providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination status or a medical exemption, and timelines,” said Dr. Richardson.

She says workplace vaccination policies should require, at a minimum:

  • Employees to provide proof of being fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Unvaccinated employees to present written proof of a medical reason from a primary care provider
  • Unvaccinated employees to complete an education course on the risks of being unvaccinated in the workplace

Recommendations on developing a workplace vaccination policy are available at Hamilton.ca/WorkPlaceVaccination.

“I want to applaud those employers who are already leading the way with workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies,” said Dr. Richardson.

“Hamilton needs to do their part in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant to protect those who cannot be vaccinated – our children under the age of 12 and other vulnerable community members. Through their actions and policies, local employers can provide their customers with peace of mind that they are doing their part to protect their employees, their patrons and the broader community during this critical time in the pandemic.”

Further resources to support local businesses’ implementation of the recommendations will be made available online in the coming days and weeks, according to the City.

Dr. Richardson added that Hamilton employers can play a critical role in “encouraging the importance of getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in a supportive environment.”

The following examples were provided in an official media release:

  • Sharing COVID-19 vaccine information from credible sources
  • Offering translated resources
  • Supporting vaccine champions to initiate conversations with their colleagues
  • Providing paid leave to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Reminding employees that they are legally entitled to up to three paid sick days if they experience side effects from the vaccine
  • Providing transportation options for employees to get their COVID-19 vaccine
  • Hosting a workplace vaccination clinic

To date, 79.5 per cent of Hamilton residents have received at least one dose with 72.2 per cent receiving both.

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