COVID-19 Vaccines being administered at a NSH clinic in Cape Breton. Photo: Nova Scotia Health.
The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) is calling on the province and health care operators to install a vaccine mandate for all healthcare workers in Nova Scotia.
According to PANS Executive Director Allison Bodner although vaccine uptake has been good amongst health care workers they would still like to see a mandate introduced.
“As we move into Phase 5 there will be fewer protections in place in regards to things like physical distancing and mask-wearing so we would like to see all healthcare workers vaccinated,” Bodner said.
She says healthcare providers should be united in sending a message about the importance of vaccines and we are equipped to help the most vulnerable people in our provinces.
“Some of our most vulnerable population visit pharmacies and other community providers every day,” says Diane Harpell, Chair of the Board of the PANS. “Health care providers, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have a responsibility to ensure that their practice environments are as safe as possible. The evidence is clear: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. As key partners in the vaccination program, we believe this is an important step for Nova Scotia.”
In the absence of a provincial mandate, PANS would like to see individual healthcare facilities implement vaccine mandates.
In the event, a provincial mandate was established Bodner says she has no doubts about the province’s vaccine capacity and she says they could get all health care workers vaccinated in short order.
The Association is also urging all practitioners to implement strategies to address vaccine hesitancy among the remaining population. PANS urges all Nova Scotians who have yet to be vaccinated to reach out to their pharmacist or other trusted healthcare professional with any questions they may have.
