Some health-care workers declining COVID vaccines

A select group of health-care workers in Saskatchewan are being offered the COVID-19 vaccines right now, but it seems some are declining the offer.

Scott Livingstone, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, confirmed Wednesday that some health-care workers have decided not to take the vaccine right now.

Livingstone couldn’t say exactly what the number is, noting the SHA doesn’t keep track of that. But he said it’s not nearly 50 per cent of those offered.

“We certainly have a small percentage of staff that have declined vaccinations, but it’s nowhere near 50 per cent,” said Livingstone.

He pointed out the vaccine is only being offered to a smaller group of high-priority health-care workers.

Livingstone said he could only give anecdotal reasons as to why people have refused the vaccines.

“Just like everybody else and members of the public, health-care workers have their own opinions around vaccinations and immunizations … but also I think there’s some nervousness about being the first with the first vaccine,” said Livingstone.

He said just because someone has said no to the vaccine now doesn’t mean that’s the answer outright.

“That means they’re just not ready to step up to be that first person,” he said.

Livingstone said the rates of vaccine uptake in Regina and Saskatoon, where the vaccination programs started, are high. He said SHA officials are very comfortable with what they’re seeing in those cities.

As of Wednesday, 10,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Saskatchewan.

The list of those who have received the shots so far includes health-care workers in Regina and Saskatoon, some residents in rural and remote areas of the province, and staff and residents of some long-term and personal care homes in Saskatchewan.