OCSA Statement - Mandatory Vaccinations
OCSA strongly supports and encourages the mandatory vaccination of all health team members to help keep Ontarians safe. The Ontario Government’s Directive 6, mandating a vaccination process among higher risk settings, was a positive first step. However, OCSA believes we need to go beyond the Directive to protect clients and patients in our care.
It is critically important that as a health care system, we have consistent vaccination policies across all sectors. We are aligning with Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) and other health associations and institutions in our assertion that all health team members, which includes home and community care workers, should be mandated for vaccination, except for those who have a medical or human rights exemption. We support a transitional approach to these vaccination policies from the current Directive 6 mandate.
This approach provides the safest layer of protection for clients and patients across the health care system for the prevention of COVID-19.
The home and community care sector has long helped to keep vulnerable Ontarians safe at home. We have applied strong Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures to protect workers, clients, patients, and caregivers which has resulted in our sector having the lowest rates of virus transmission in the health care system. However, all health settings must take further steps. Vaccination is critical to continuing to protect the most vulnerable against COVID-19.
We call on our government funders and referral sources to support direction across all health sectors and to work collaboratively with our providers to mitigate any capacity challenges as we work through the next phases of implementation. OCSA will work closely with the provincial government to ensure that we serve the needs of vulnerable Ontarians receiving care at home and in their community.
About OCSA Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These compassionate and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario.
For more information, visit http://www.ocsa.on.ca and https://twitter.com/OCSAtweets
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