Newswire

Thank you to those who were able to join SUN’s Member Information Session on January 18 regarding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. For those who were not able to attend, the material we reviewed at those sessions can be found here:

• January 14 Vaccine Delivery Update
• Vaccine Sequencing Plan for Healthcare Workers (January 14)

SUN recognizes these are stressful times and that the arrival of a vaccine is a long-awaited relief for many on the frontline – especially for our members. The hope that the vaccine has brought has also, unfortunately, caused an immense amount of frustration and confusion for many – this was abundantly clear during our Member Information Sessions on January 18.

Clear, regular communication from the Employer with the frontline and union stakeholders about the vaccine rollout, expected supply and the vaccine planning process has been limited. While SUN does not make decisions regarding the rollout or sequencing, we continue to work on members' behalf for transparency and have called upon the SHA to ensure a thorough communication strategy is in place and communicated to all staff in a timely manner.

SUN is committed to advocating for our members and their safety, seeking clarity to processes and answers to their questions. We will continue to ensure that members are kept up to date on vaccine rollout plans and sequencing as they unfold.

 
WHAT MEMBERS SHOULD DO
 
If members have questions regarding Employer communications concerning the vaccine delivery plan for their unit/facility/agency – please speak to your Manager.
 
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Vaccine Priority Sequencing for Healthcare Workers – please contact Blake McMullen with the SHA at  Blake.McMullen@saskhealthauthority.ca
 
As always – if members have any questions or concerns that are not being addressed by the Employer, please contact SUN Duty Roster to speak to an Employment Relations Officer or Nurse Practice Officer.

And finally, in these difficult and challenging times, SUN members are reminded to take care of themselves both physically and mentally

Position Statement on Immunization

The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses encourages immunization of health care employees, while respecting the right of individuals to choose not to be immunized for medical, religious or personal reasons.

Employees who are required by the Employer to be immunized shall suffer no loss of pay or reduction of sick leave credits.

In the event that employers develop policies that require mandatory immunization during outbreaks of flu or other viruses, employees unable to be immunized for medical or religious reasons should have the option of taking antiviral drugs, being reassigned to another part of the agency if possible, or accessing sick leave credits if reassignment is not possible.

Employees who, for personal reasons, are unwilling to be immunized or are unwilling to take antiviral drugs during an outbreak, may access vacation or leave without pay.

UPDATE

• Vaccines, to date, have been deployed to geographies based on availability and priority.  Click here to view the geographical distribution map.

• All staff will continue to follow PPE precautions in place.

• If an Employee ​declines vaccination, were missed in the initial rounds of contact, have medical documentation advising not to be vaccinated, or if employees don’t get vaccinated, they will continue working with PPE precautions.
• There will be future offerings to receive the vaccination.
• Employees will have a choice in which vaccination to receive; however, there may be a delay in getting access to their preferred vaccine pending availability in their geographic area.

• If a healthcare worker develops COVID symptoms and subsequently tests positive between receiving doses 1 and 2 of their COVID-19 vaccine series, the 90-day deferral does not apply and their second dose should be provided as long as the healthcare worker has recovered from the acute illness and criteria have been met for them to discontinue isolation.