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Woodstock Hospital Changes Vaccination Policy

Employees who do not get vaccinated by November 17, will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Hospital has updated their COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Staff, physicians and contracted employees will have to be fully vaccinated to come into work or provide proof of a medical exemption. The old policy allowed for unvaccinated people to come into work, if they subjected themselves to daily testing. 

President and CEO of the hospital Perry Lang says the policy was updated because of the landscaped of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"As a health care facility committed to providing the highest possible standard of care, we must be proactive in our efforts to minimize the impact of the ongoing fourth wave. This policy enhancement will help to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, staff, and community throughout the continued development of the COVID-19 pandemic." 

All staff must provide proof of their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 20, 2021, and proof of a second dose by November 17, 2021. The hospital will continue to offer internal vaccine clinics for staff to become immunized.

VP of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Smart explains why vaccines are important, especially in the hospital setting. 

"Vaccines remain our best defence against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective in reducing transmission of the virus, as well as related hospitalizations, and we strongly encourage anyone who has not already done so to get vaccinated." 

Approximately 94% of all staff, physicians, and contracted employees at Woodstock Hospital have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 92% are fully vaccinated.

Around 60 employees at the hospital are not vaccinated. Those who do not get vaccinated by the deadline will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

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