Despite Alberta Health Services reporting overwhelming support for their proof of vaccine policy, at least 1,200 AHS staff have requested an exemption..In a live address to Albertans on Tuesday, AHS President and CEO, Dr. Verna Yiu said, “there is very broad support of the vaccine policy,” referring to AHS requiring all medical staff to have two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by October 31. .Yiu said 92% of physicians and nurses have submitted their proof of vaccination along with 97% of all ICU staff..But 7% of AHS employees have yet to submit their proof and AHS is “actively working” to confirm their vaccine status..Approximately 1,200 medical staff have asked for vaccine exemptions provided for in the policy with 838 already submitting the necessary paperwork to be considered..Yiu said those seeking a vaccine exemption, whether medical or religious, account for less than 1% of AHS staff and confirmed only 61 employees have resigned to date..Any staff who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to do so and “address any concerns they may have with their leader or healthcare provider,” said Yiu..“We stand by the policy and it will be fully implemented.”.Those without accommodations or proof of full immunization will be placed on unpaid leave at the end of the month. .AHS says with such low numbers, they don’t anticipate “having any significant impact on our ability to provide care to Albertans.”.Yiu also took the opportunity to thank Albertans for helping to bring case numbers down and “reduce the strain on the healthcare system.”.She also confirmed that with “pressures easing” AHS has been able to allow for more surgeries to return to the hospitals..“It’s a fine balance and we must ensure that we have adequate ICU capacity should COVID numbers increase again,” said Yiu.There are currently 376 general adult ICU beds available with 75% occupancy. The “surge beds” will be reduced incrementally as volume allows..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
