The Province is releasing a second update on the vaccination rates of workers in healthcare, long-term care, education and emergency health services today, November 17.
Employers are required to collect and report vaccination rates as part of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate announced September 29.
Under the mandate, all employees are required to have at least a first dose of vaccine by November 30, with a requirement to show proof of full vaccination 70 days after their first dose. Those who are partially vaccinated may be subjected to other health and safety measures, including testing. Those who do not have a first dose by November 30 will be placed on unpaid leave.
As of November 16, the vaccination rates of employees who have reported are:
— Nova Scotia Health Authority: 94 per cent vaccinated (up from 91 per cent) with 88 per cent reporting
— IWK Health Centre: 99 per cent (no change), with 99 per cent reporting
— Long-term care: 93 per cent (no change), with 89 per cent reporting
— Home care: 89 per cent (no change), with 78 per cent reporting
— Education: 97 per cent (no change), with 75 per cent reporting
— Emergency Health Services (EHS): 99 per cent (no change), with 88 per cent reporting
“We’ve heard now from the majority of employees, and I am very pleased with the vaccination rates,” said Premier Tim Houston. “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late. I encourage you to make the right choice.”
Data collection continues and there will be another update of numbers on November 24, with final numbers released in early December.
Employees who have not yet reported, or who have said they do not intend to be vaccinated, must complete a mandatory educational program.
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate covers more than 80,000 employees. The following groups are included:
— Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre
— workers in long-term care facilities (licensed and unlicensed) and home-care agencies (publicly and privately funded)
— public school teachers, pre-primary and other school-based staff, regional and board office staff, and those providing services in schools, including cafeteria and school bus services
— early childhood educators and staff in regulated child care, as well as any volunteers, practicum students, or other professionals entering these settings
— Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia
— workers in residential facilities and day programs funded by the Department of Community Services Disability Support Program and adult day programs funded by Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care
— workers in Department of Community Services facilities and those providing placements for children and youth in the care of the Minister of Community Services (excluding foster family placements)
— paramedics, LifeFlight nurses and some other staff at EHS
— physicians and other service providers to the above organizations; for example hairdressers and contractors
— correctional officers, youth workers, volunteers, visitors, contractors and service providers who work in, or provide service to adult or youth correctional facilities.
Source: Release