Changes to New Brunswick’s COVID-19 vaccination policy have caused some anxiety in the nursing home sector.
The provincial government announced last Friday that employees in the vulnerable sector would no longer have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 11.
It didn’t come as a surprise to Norm Bossé, chief executive officer of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes.
Once the province lifted vaccination policies for other public servants, Bossé took it as a signal similar changes were destined for his sector.
“The nursing homes want to make sure that their residents are kept safe from COVID-19 and any other disease that may be going around,” said Bossé.
He believes over 100 employees will be back to work once the changes take effect. As part of its new policy, the province has advised that non-fully vaccinated employees must follow mitigation measures, though exactly what that includes is still unclear to Bossé.
‘If you look at the directives from the province of New Brunswick, the Department of Health, one has to wonder, is that five-day isolation requirement still there, Can you go to work if you don’t have any symptoms,” asked Bossé.
“It’s a little bit wide open…without sometimes clear lines, so [nursing homes] do the best they can.”
Bossé, the former Child, Youth and Seniors’ Advocate, recognizes the province cannot always consult the sector on changes but would have appreciated a heads up on this matter.
Regardless of what measures the province advises, he’s confident further actions will be taken if needed to ensure safety.
“The nursing homes know that whatever comes out of government would be sort of the minimum standards, and some of them will go beyond the standard and do what they have to do to protect their homes.”
A call between members of the sector is planned for later this week to decide how to proceed.
