Premier understands new vaccine requirement may result in loss of some health-care staff

‘We understand there’s a risk that we could lose some health-care workers but on the balance of things, this is the decision that has to be taken, there is no option right now,’ says Premier Tim Houston

HALIFAXtoday\ Chris Halef

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Nova Scotia’s Premier says he understands there is a risk they may lose some health-care staff by mandating vaccines for workers.

On Wednesday, the province announced mandatory vaccinations for a number of workers, including hospital and long-term care workers, physicians, paramedics, teachers and other educational staff, among others.

Those who do not provide proof of full vaccination by the end of November will be put on unpaid administrative leave.

This comes at a time where there continues to be staffing challenges in health-care.

Premier Tim Houston said this decision did not come lightly.

“We understand there’s a risk that we could lose some health-care workers but on the balance of things, this is the decision that has to be taken, there is no option right now,” said Houston.

He said he knows there are some health-care workers who refuse to get vaccinated, but he is hopeful it is a small percentage.

Houston added they have also heard from many health-care employees who wanted a vaccine mandate.

“We also understand that should we have a case in a health-care facility, possibly from an unvaccinated health care worker, it will have dramatic ramifications on the whole floor, on the whole institution,” he said.

As part of the province’s mandate, any new staff members will also need to be fully vaccinated as a hiring condition.