Photo: COVID-19 Care Unit at Miramichi Lodge long-term care home in Pembroke
The County of Renfrew Health Committee is recommending that vaccination policies at long-term care homes continue to be required for staff, visitors and support workers.
This comes as the province has lifted COVID-19 vaccine requirements at long-term care homes across Ontario, a move that AdvantAge Ontario says is very concerning and irresponsible.
The mandatory immunization policy for Ontario long-term care homes was revoked on March 14th, 2022, but homes can continue to require proof of vaccination if they want.
During a special meeting on Monday afternoon (March 28th, 2022), the County of Renfrew health committee recommended that county council keep the COVID-19 vaccination policy at both county run long-term care homes, Miramichi Lodge in Pembroke and Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew.
The County of Renfrew health committee is also recommending that county council support the position from AdvantAge Ontario in their efforts to create a coalition of long-term care homes who wish to pursue mandatory vaccination for staff.
Councillor Peter Emon talked about how there might be potential confusion and frustration if there’s inconsistency in terms of policies across the region.
Mike Blackmore, the director of long-term care for the County of Renfrew says other long-term care homes in the region have expressed interest in keeping COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Chair of the health committee Michael Donohue says it’s a simple choice to support this policy and recognized the long-term care sector has been the hardest hit during the pandemic.
Blackmore told committee members there has been overwhelming support from families to keep the vaccination standards in place until the county creates their own policy.
The County of Renfrew has led the pack in terms of implementing the highest level of precautions ahead of provincial requirements to keep long-term care residents safe.
Renfrew County Council meets on Wednesday (March 30th, 2022) and will discuss the item in more detail.
County of Renfrew Long-Term Care COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Recommendation
Mandatory vaccination requirements for all County of Renfrew employees, students, volunteers, support workers, essential caregivers, and general visitors that includes:
- all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- booster dose(s) of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada in accordance with the highest level protection medically recommended for the long-term care sector
- with 14-days passing after receiving last vaccine
Contract workers and children aged 5-11
- proof of vaccination including a minimum of the primary two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada with 14-days passing after receiving their last vaccine.
Visitors of any kind who are not fully vaccinated
- are restricted to outdoor visits, based on the ability of the home to reasonably accommodate.
Exemptions:
- General visitor of caregiver attending the home to visit or attend to a resident receiving palliative end-of-life care.
- children/infants under the age of five provided no vaccine has been approved for this demographic.
- a support worker who is attending the home for emergency or palliative situations, to provide timely medical care, or for the sole purpose of making a delivery.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)