Updates

In 2021, most Canadian provinces and territories (PTs) implemented mandatory vaccinations for workers in hospitals, long-term care (LTC), and ambulance services. This policy shift occurred in response to surging COVID-19 levels, particularly high hospitalisation rates in Western provinces, during the fourth wave of the virus. The directives were issued by leveraging provincial public health legislation and LTC legislation. Vaccine directives varied by jurisdiction with some targeting all health workers, LTC workers or all workers interacting with vulnerable populations (for example, staff in prisons and schools in Manitoba). Some provinces announced vaccination mandates for LTC workers later than others (for example, Alberta in November 2021, BC for LTC workers by October 2021). Notable outliers were Ontario, which never introduced a vaccination directive except for LTC homes, and Quebec, which announced one in September 2021 but withdrew it at the end of November. The implementation of vaccine directives was challenged by practicalities, such as maintaining workforce capacity. The mandate remains in effect in a small number of PTs with most revoking the mandates during 2022 (for example, Alberta for all health workers in August; Ontario for LTC workers in March).