Many nursing home workers haven't consented to COVID-19 vaccine, association says

Nearly one in two employees in some nursing homes has still not completed their consent form for vaccination, according to the most recent data from the association that represents the province's nursing homes.

The New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes advocates on behalf of all 70licensed nursing homes in New Brunswick.

In an email to Radio-Canada, the association confirmed that 90 per centof residents have received their COVID-19 vaccine, but noted much more hesitation among employees.

Only 55 per centof them accepted the vaccine during the first round of vaccination.

According to the association's executive director, Jodi Hall, this data comes from an average of nursing homes based on the number of consent forms received.

"We plan to continue training with staff to address any questions and concerns they may have," Hall said, adding that she hopes that as the vaccination campaign accelerates, the number of staff consenting to the vaccine increases.

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For the French-speaking Association of Special Care Homes in New Brunswick, which mainly represents small and medium-sized establishments, the proportion of employees who have not consented to be vaccinated is lower.

According to president Kevin Vienneau, about 20 per cent of employees have refused to be vaccinated.

"Of course we would like everyone to have it,"Vienneau said. "But it's not an obligation. So as long as it's not mandatory, we can't really do anything."

Many reasons for refusal, manager says

At the McGraw Residence in Bathurst, 12 out of 25 employees have so far agreed to be vaccinated.

According to manager David Duguay, it is mainly student employeeswho refused the vaccine.

Duguay said staff are encouraged to have the vaccine, but this can be challenging when someone has a "pre-conceived idea" about it.

He said the reasons for refusal are varied, but he thinksa lack of informationabout the vaccine is at the root of the problem.He'd like to see Public Health bolster its communication strategy around the vaccines.

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"There is too much misinformation circulating everywhere," he said.

Sharon Teare, president of the New Brunswick Council of Nursing Home Unions, which representsworkers in 51 of the province's nursing homes, echoed Duguay's concerns about communication.

"Obviously, we want to do whatever we can do to keep our seniors safe," Teare said. "They are our extended family and the reason we get to go to work every day."

However, she said, a lack of information, both around the vaccine itself and around how to get it,has been a key factor in employees not consenting to it.

Teare said she has heard from workers who thought they'd signed up for a vaccinebut later learned they had not.

At the end of the day, it's all about communication.- Sharon Teare, N.B.Council of Nursing Home Unions president

"You have to look at the sign-up process. Is itthe same in each and every nursing home? I can guarantee you it is not," she said. "Who is it that you go to [to sign up], orare you simply signing up on a piece of paper that is located in a room that maybe you don't frequent?"

As well, Teare said, the messaging has been inconsistent.

"Early on, the understanding was thatresidents would receive the vaccine before staff. Some of our staff were saying 'We want our residents to have it first because they are more at risk.' "

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In other cases, Teare said, staff hesitated because they felt they didn't have enough information about the vaccine itself and how it would affect them.

Teare stressed she did not want to criticize, noting the pandemic has been stressful on so many levels.

"But at the end of the day, it's all about communication," she said. "Youneed a consistent message, a consistent way to sign up, a consistent way to get the message from the employer to the worker on the ground."

A 'thorough approval process,'Health Department says

In an email Monday, Health Department spokesperson Shawn Berry addressed the hesitation to consent to the vaccine among some nursing home workers and concerns about the vaccine.

"The most effective public immunization campaigns involve everyone who can get a vaccine doing so," Berry said.

"We understand that some people may have concerns, but we are confident that the majority of staff will recognize the importance of receiving the vaccine for the safety of residents, families and staff."

Berry noted that "Health Canada has a thorough approval process" for vaccines.

"A vaccine is only approved after an independent and thorough scientific review for safety, effectiveness and quality," he said.

If someone is unsure about whether the COVID-19 vaccination is right for them, Berry said, "they should consult with their primary care provider."

"We have been [speaking] and we will continue to speak about the benefits of vaccination in order to protect New Brunswick's population," he said.

'It doesn't hurt and we're not sick with it'

Villa des Jardins resident Juanita Chamberlanddoesn't understand the reluctance to get vaccinated.

She's had her first of the required two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and is waiting for her second.

"It doesn't hurt and we're not sick with it," she said.

Chamberland said aclose friend of hers a resident at anotherEdmundston care home, Manoir Belle Vue died of COVID-19.

She'd like to see the government make the vaccine mandatory because the possible consequences of refusal are too great.

The New Brunswick Medical Society, however, doesn't think making the vaccine compulsory is the way to go, and doesn't plan to campaign for that to happen.

"We believe that a strong education and awareness strategy should be used to educate all New Brunswickers about the safety, effectiveness and value of vaccines," agency president Dr. Jeff Steeves said.

"We encourage all citizens, including doctors and other health-care providers, to get vaccinated as soon as they can."

Can you be fired for refusing vaccine?

Can an employer fire an unvaccinated employee? According to retired law professor Michle Caron, the short answer is yes.

The employer generally agrees and the courts accept that vaccination may be required, Caron said.

But she noted there are several nuances to consider in the case of nursing homes.

For example, she said, the employer would have to demonstrate that vaccination is indeed necessary because of very high risk.

In a non-unionized workplace, she said, the employer could potentially lay off an employee who refused vaccination other than for health or religious reasons.

"It seems that we are less contagious when we are vaccinated and therefore the employer could be justified" in this case, Caron said.