It’s not 100 per cent, but it’s close.
The City of Barrie released its COVID-19 vaccination rate for municipal employees Friday.
For full-time Canadian Union of Public Employee (CUPE) members and the city’s non-union group of employees, it’s 97 per cent who have received one or two doses of a vaccine.
Members of Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) are 99 per cent vaccinated with one or two doses, according to the city.
“About two per cent of full-time employees are doing antigen testing,” said Michael Prowse, Barrie’s chief administrative officer. “Employees who did not adhere to the policy have been put on an unpaid administrative leave.”
There are two city employees on unpaid administrative leave — one a CUPE member, the other with BFES.
“We’re very pleased with our staff’s response to this policy,” Prowse said. “The health and safety of our staff and public is a top priority for the city and this policy reflects that commitment.”
Data released by the city Oct. 4 stated just more than 90 per cent of its 1,039 full-time union and non-union employees were either fully or partially vaccinated.
How do City of Barrie employees vaccination rates compare to those across Ontario?
As of Oct. 17, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health reported that 87.9 per cent of Ontario’s population aged 12 or older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The City of Barrie introduced and began implementing a COVID-19 vaccination policy for its employees in early September.
All staff were required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status by Monday, Sept. 20. The policy applies to all employees of and volunteers with the city, along with contractors — but contractors only where the city has any duties as an employer as defined by Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
City staff who had not been vaccinated or who didn’t disclose their vaccination status by Sept. 20, were required to attend mandatory education sessions on the benefits of vaccination.
Unvaccinated city employees are required to undergo regular antigen screening tests (at least twice a week for full-time employees) or the equivalent, and supply results. Health Canada says antigen-based tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. They are often called rapid tests, as they typically provide results in less than an hour, Health Canada says.
Due to the nature of certain city jobs, some staff are deemed to be at a higher risk - those working with citizens who may not be vaccinated or masked — or their positions with the city are critical to the health and safety of the citizens of Barrie.
These employees are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 29, 2021, or may be subject to discipline in accordance with the city’s vaccination policy.
All other employees who refused to get vaccinated, or refused to disclose their vaccination status by Oct. 1, 2021, are required to get tested at their cost, estimated at $40, for COVID-19 on a regular basis.
The city exempts staff with valid reasons related to protected grounds from vaccination requirements according to the Ontario Human Rights Code. If the exemption is accepted, these employees are required to get tested for COVID-19 on a regular basis.
The city’s policy also says COVID-19 and its variants, such Delta, present a significant health risk, particularly in unvaccinated people. This policy recognizes that vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective measure to reduce the risk of severe illness and transmission to others, including members of the public.
