Physicians see increase in COVID-19 vaccine exemption requests
Primary care physicians are seeing an increase in calls related to medical exemption notes for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Jessica Summerfield says it is not a coincidence, as the provincial government rolls out its vaccine certificate policy.
“These notes have to clearly state why the exemption, based on those criteria and the timeline for that exemption, whether it be a permanent status or what they timeframe would be for that exemption,” says Summerfield, who is also the president of the Essex County Medical Society.
According to the College of Physicians of Ontario, there are very few acceptable exceptions including:
- An allergist/immunologist-confirmed sever allergy or anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of its components that cannot be mitigated.
- A diagnosed episode of myocarditis/pericarditis after receipt of an mRNA vaccine.
“Every conversation with a patient is an opportunity for physicians to have that conversation with them about what the hesitation is what’s their reluctancy,” Summerfield tells CTV News.
According to Summerfield, the Ontario Medical Association is working on a template for physicians to work of, with exact criteria to ensure their consistency provincial-wide for such exemptions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.