Calgary paramedic speaking out against mandatory vaccines for healthcare workers
The COVID-19 pandemic is adding an extra level of stress to an already demanding job for paramedics in the province.
“The morale is very low, it has been since the pandemic started…I’m seeing more staff shortages that I have in my entire career,” said Gordon, whose worked as a paramedic for 12 years, the last four in Calgary.
CTV News agreed to not disclose Gordon’s last name because he says he’s worried about possible physical and online harassment from patients for speaking out against mandatory vaccines.
He said he believes this will get worse when Alberta Health Services mandates vaccines for all frontline healthcare workers by the end of October.
AHS said those who don’t comply may be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.
“November first is when I hope and pray for the public because when people are going to need an ambulance or need a doctor or need a nurse, there’s going to be far less of them because there’s going to be people that stand strong on getting a needle,” said Gordon.
Gordon has received both doses but said he has colleagues who don’t want to get vaccinated and said an employer shouldn’t force the decision.
“I’m not an anti-vaxxer, anti-masker, I’m a person that believes in choice and I believe we all have a decision we are allowed to make.”
AHS said the vast majority of healthcare workers are immunized, though it hasn’t been mandatory for employees to provide their immunization status.
AHS said those unable to because of medical reasons or a belief protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act will be reasonably accommodated.
Some doctors say COVID-19 vaccines are essential for healthcare workers.
“One of the things at least physicians swear to one another (is) to do no harm,” said intensive care physician, Dr. Darren Markland.
“We clearly know that during a pandemic spreading infections by not following the rules, specifically infection measure controls and being vaccinated, causes harm to our patients."
"Therefore I am morally obliged to do the right thing and get vaccinated especially when there’s proof behind it,” said Markland.
Markland said it’s especially important to stop the spread of preventable infections in hospitals which are caring for the frailest and immunosuppressed patients.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran's president and foreign minister die in helicopter crash at moment of high tensions in Mideast
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were found dead Monday hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, leaving the Islamic Republic without two key leaders as extraordinary tensions grip the wider Middle East.
Woman in her 30s in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A woman in her 30s is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Britain slammed in inquiry for infecting thousands with tainted blood and covering up the scandal
British authorities and the country's public health service knowingly exposed tens of thousands of patients to deadly infections through contaminated blood and blood products, and hid the truth about the disaster for decades, an inquiry into the U.K.'s infected blood scandal found Monday.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over actions taken during their seven-month war.
What we know so far about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection with US$100 million in financing commitments
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.