Kingston, Ont. hospital places 59 employees on indefinite leave for violating vaccine mandate
Kingston Health Sciences Centre has placed 59 employees on an indefinite unpaid leave for failing to comply with its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.
All physicians, staff and learners at the Kingston, Ont. research and teaching hospital were required to provide proof of having received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or a documented medical reason for not being vaccinated, by Sept. 21. Under the policy, all staff are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 22
On Sept. 22, the hospital placed 136 employees on a two week, unpaid administrative leave of absence for failing to provide proof of a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Thursday, KHSC said over the past two weeks, 77 employees provided proof of vaccination or a valid exemption and will be able to return to work.
Fifty-nine staff members have now been placed on an indefinite unpaid leave for failing to comply with the policy, said KHSC.
"As we have reached the end of the two-week unpaid leave for staff who are in non-compliance with KHSC’s mandatory vaccination policy, any individual who has not produced proof of vaccination or a valid exemption has been placed on an indefinite unpaid leave while we work to determine next steps," said KHSC.
"KHSC remains committed to enforcing our mandatory vaccine policy. We believe that vaccination is the top preventive strategy against COVID-19, in conjunction with screening, wearing personal protective equipment such as masks, and physical distancing."
As of Thursday, 97 per cent of KHSC staff have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are considered fully vaccinated. Two per cent of staff have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
"Any partially vaccinated staff (one dose) have until October 22 to receive their second dose. Up until Oct. 22 partially vaccinated staff will need to submit negative COVID antigen tests on a weekly basis," said KHSC.
There are more than 5,900 employees at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre, including nurses and doctors.
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre includes Kingston General Hospital, the Hotel Dieu Hospital and the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Richard Perry, record producer behind 'You're So Vain' and other hits, dies at 82
Richard Perry, a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds whose many successes included Carly Simon’s 'You’re So Vain,' Rod Stewart’s 'The Great American Songbook' series and a Ringo Starr album featuring all four Beatles, died Tuesday. He was 82.
Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians
Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests.
Read Trudeau's Christmas message
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full.
Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday.
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect
Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.'
Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive.
King Charles III is set to focus on healthcare workers in his traditional Christmas message
King Charles III is expected to use his annual Christmas message to highlight health workers, at the end of a year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.