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About 40 per cent of Saskatchewan’s Registered Nurses may not be getting a COVID-19 vaccine, under the updated Phase 1 plan, according to Saskatchewan Union of Nurses president Tracy Zambory.
On Tuesday, the provincial government updated its Phase 1 priority sequencing plans to include up to 2,600 doctors, 1,200 pharmacists and other Saskatchewan Health Authority health care providers including those working in anesthesia/operating rooms, critical care areas, vaccination teams, radiology technicians, ECG workers, home care providers, and hemodialysis.
Phase 2 of the vaccine delivery plan has not changed, and will continue in a ‘phasing’ process beginning with those between ages 60-69.
Zambory says there are around 10,000 RNs in the province and SUN is very disappointed.
“(It’s) really almost unacceptable because we’re still not following the guidelines of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization,” she explained. “It very clearly says that all direct care providers should be vaccinated.”
And Zambory explained all RNs at some point are involved in direct patient care.
“The people who are seeing hundreds of patients every day like registered nurses do, need to be vaccinated. We need to make sure that the health care system is strong and healthy because if registered nurses end up getting sick because they’re not vaccinated, then the healthcare system itself won’t be able to function.”
During a news conference Tuesday, Premier Scott Moe said the province’s current plan, including an age-based Phase 2 rollout plan, was the best way to deliver the vaccines.
“We know that age is the number one risk factor for serious outcomes from COVID. So, vaccinating by age is the best way for us to reduce those very serious negative outcomes,” he said.
Moe added that the plan the province has adopted, has already been working in places like the United Kingdom and in Israel.
“Age based sequencing is the best way to vaccinate as many people as possible and the best way to do that as quickly as possible,” he announced.
However, Zambory says many of Saskatchewan’s nurses are under the age of 49, and it could take a long time to get to all of them under the current plan.
“So, if we think about those 4,000 people that are now having to go into the age ranges, it’s going to take a long time to get to those age ranges in the decades. So, it’s going to be a long time before those age ranges get vaccinated,” she explained.
Zambory also said that it’s imperative the public have confidence in the health system so when they need to use it, they won’t be infected with COVID-19 by those treating them – and in turn – that health care workers won’t be infected by the patients they’re seeing.
She says SUN will continue to put pressure on the province and the health authorities, including contacting their MLAs, Health Minister Scott Merriman, and Premier Scott Moe.
“Registered nurses are tired, they’re anxious, and they’re disappointed yet again,” she said.