COVID-19 vaccination rates are higher across the St. Lawrence River, but opposition remains – North Country Public Radio

A demonstration against mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers in Hawkesbury Ontario, on October 8. Photo: James Morgan

Oct 15, 2021

Canadians with ties to the North Country, or who plan to make the long drive south to warmer weather this winter rejoiced when the news got outearlier this week that land ports of entry to the US would be reopening to fully vaccinated Canadians sometime in November.

The high COVID-19 vaccination rates among residents of eastern Ontario are a positive sign of the low transmission risk among the population. However, opposition to mandatory vaccination for health care workers remains among a minority of residents.

Late last month, Dr. Paula Stewart, the Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit, reportedthat 90% of the territorys residents aged 12 and older had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.The area includes Gananoque, Brockville, Prescott,Kemptville, and Perth.

"This high level of vaccination will reduce the risk of COVID-19 in our community, and prevent hospitalizations and death, said Stewart in a statement.Shecredited the efforts of health care providers, volunteers, and local governments for making vaccination accessible to citizens.

The COVID-19 vaccination rate is lower, but still quite high, further east in the five-county territory served by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). In addition to the villages and rural towns of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the EOHUs territory includes Cornwall and the portion of Akwesasne located north of the international border.

As of October 13, 84.9% of residents of the EOHU jurisdiction aged 12 andabove had received two vaccine doses.

By comparison, just across the St. Lawrence River, just 68% of St. Lawrence County residents 18 and over have at least one dose of the vaccine.

Small group protests mandatory vaccination of hospital workers

Despite the high vaccination rates across eastern Ontario, there are still people refusing to be vaccinated, or attempting to politicize mandatory vaccination for hospital and long-term care workers.

On Friday, October 8, a small group of demonstrators in Hawkesbury, located in the northeast corner of the EOHUs territory, protested mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for employees of Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH).

The policy takes effect on Friday, October 15. According to HGH Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate ServicesGiseleLarocque, vaccination will be compulsory for all employees, physicians, learners, and contractors working at HGH. The Ontario Hospital Association has recommended hospitals across the province adopt these policies for the protection of patients and staff.

At the Hawkesbury protest, 31 people carried signs opposing vaccination, mandatory vaccination for hospital employees, claiming that government responses to the pandemic interfere upon personal freedom.

Larocque said HGH published a COVID-19 vaccination policy and informed staff of their obligation to comply on August 26.

As of October 6, the percentage of employees vaccinated is 88.1% for employees and 100% for physicians.

Larocque estimated 99.1% of HGH employees will be vaccinated as of October 15. She said any statistics on possible suspensions or terminations for employees who refuse to be vaccinated is privileged information.

As of October 8, the Ontario government had not made it mandatory for all health care workers across Ontario to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, Minister of Health Christine Elliott said in the legislature on October 7 the government has not ruled out introducing such a requirement.

The Hawkesbury protesters weredemonstrating approximately half a block away from hospital property. They were notimpeding traffic around the facility. On October 5, John Fraser, a member of the Ontario Legislature from Ottawa,introduced a bill which, if it becomes law, would establish safe zones with a 150-meter (492 feet) radius around hospitals whereprotests would be prohibited.Offenders would face fines ranging from $5,000 $10,000 and up to six months in jail for repeat offences. The bill would no longer be in effect whenever the governments pandemic response laws are repealed or after a two-year period.

On October 1, Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Rod Phillips announced all employees of long-term care facilities across the province must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 15.

The Prescott and Russell Residence is the public long-term care facility operated by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Itis located inHawkesbury, not far from where the October 8 protest took place. Administrator Alexandre Gorman estimated that as of October 7, approximately 185 to 190 of 215 to 220 employees at the Residence had received a COVID-19 vaccination. He said vaccination is being addressed with employees who have not yet received their shots, and management will be holding discussions with the individuals. Gorman is hopeful that no staff leave their jobs at the Prescott and Russell Residence over mandatory vaccination.

We hope not, obviously our goal is to keep everyone.

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COVID-19 vaccination rates are higher across the St. Lawrence River, but opposition remains - North Country Public Radio