SMA calls for mandatory vaccines for Sask. health-care workers

The Saskatchewan Medical Association is now calling for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all health-care workers in the province.

The SMA made the announcement Wednesday in a release, adding to a growing list of medical associations across the country that have made similar calls.

Physicians in the province are asking the government to mandate vaccines for all health-care workers in Saskatchewan to help protect patients, colleagues and themselves.

SMA president and practising physician Dr. Eben Strydom said COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and effective, and are “our ticket out of the pandemic.”

“Physicians in the province have been calling for safety measures throughout the pandemic and when safety is jeopardized or there are things we can do better, we’ve spoken out,” Strydom said.

“At this stage — with a fourth wave that’s looming, the Delta variant that’s circulating — we know that there’s significant risk now, especially since the (province’s health) restrictions have been lifted. Kids are going back to school, there’s still a significant amount of people that are not vaccinated or fully vaccinated and that has big impacts on the health system.

“We’ve struggled through the past year and we need to get back to our previous status as soon as possible and we know that the strain from pandemic cases slows everything down significantly. We have had enough time now to look at the safety of vaccines … I think that’s the reason we feel why now it’s appropriate to ask for mandatory vaccination.”

Last week, Katharine Smart, a pediatrician and incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), also called for the mandatory vaccination of health-care workers.

“I’m really glad to see Saskatchewan supporting our call for mandatory vaccines for health-care workers,” Smart said. “We feel strongly that the public has a right to expect safe care when they enter our facilities and we know that the best way to do that is to ensure that all health-care workers are vaccinated against COVID-19.”

The Canadian Nurses Association, the Ontario Medical Association and the New Brunswick Medical Society have also advocated for mandatory shots for those working in health care.

The hope is such calls, if heeded, will help suppress the anticipated fourth wave of COVID-19.

“We also want to encourage anybody in the province who hasn’t been vaccinated,” Strydom added. “We’d like to have everybody talk to their health-care provider if they have any questions and (the vaccine) is freely available. Get vaccinated as soon as possible to help us with this effort.”

The loosening of restrictions is also concerning to the SMA, which is urging residents to continue to practise effective public health measures that have been utilized during the pandemic.

Those include: Wearing masks in indoor public spaces, particularly locations not limited to vaccinated people; Washing hands regularly and practising good hygiene; maintaining physical distancing where possible; and, staying home and getting tested for COVID-19 when feeling sick.