Alberta Health Services says it is canceling its COVID-19 immunization policy for its workers.
The agency says all workers, including new hires and students, will no longer have to receive at least two doses of vaccine. AHS had previously lifted its mandate for staff, but maintained a policy that required vaccination for new hires.
He says vaccines continue to offer strong protection against the serious effects of COVID-19, but there is emerging evidence that vaccines have become less protective against infection.
AHS says the COVID-19 vaccines available so far are aimed at the original strain of the virus.
He says the evidence shows that booster-free immunization has limited effectiveness in reducing the transmission of currently circulating Omicron variants.
When asked why AHS did not choose to change the definition of “fully vaccinated” and require all available booster doses, Kerry Williamson, AHS’s executive director of problem management, said in an email that the The agency needs stronger evidence on the effectiveness of booster doses with highly infectious Omicron subvariants circulating.
Williamson said the AHS “did not think there was enough scientific evidence to demonstrate a reduced transmission with a single booster dose.”
The agency says her staff continues to be forced to stay home when she is ill, bring the necessary personal protective equipment, and practice hand hygiene.
“The immunization policy was implemented to protect patients, health care workers and the public at a time of the pandemic when the immunization required by the policy was still effective in preventing transmission and when it was most needed to help contain the spread of COVID-19. 19 “Mauro Chies, interim president and CEO of AHS, said in a statement on Monday.
“Policies and procedures have had to constantly evolve during the pandemic to reflect significant changes in the virus itself and the ever-changing evidence base as we continue to protect our people and patients.”
AHS says it will continue to monitor scientific evidence to assess the need for additional measures.
In a press release, Alberta NDP health critic David Shepherd said the decision to drop the vaccine made no sense.
“Anyone being cared for in a health center should be assured that staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, among many other diseases,” he said. “It is absurd that protection against COVID-19 is being removed from the list of vaccines needed for new AHS staff. This virus has killed more than 4,600 Albertans, and patients in hospitals and care facilities. long-term are the most at risk. “