Updated: January 7, 2022, 7:00PM
Provinces will likely introduce mandatory vaccination policies in the coming months to deal with the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, said Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos today.
The Minister of Health said the time has come for provinces to consider making vaccination mandatory for everyone who is medically able to get the shot. While rapid tests, masking and social distancing are tools against the fight, they won’t end the pandemic on their own.
Duclos explained that 50 percent of hospitalizations in Quebec are currently due to people not being vaccinated.
“That’s a burden on health care workers, a burden on society which is very difficult to bear and for many people difficult to understand.” said the Minister.
The Minister said while he was expressing his personal opinion and not federal government policy, he expects Ottawa and the provinces will discuss mandatory vaccinations in the coming months.
Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang told CBC that Nova Scotia isn’t considering mandatory vaccination but it is looking increase the number of places that can be accessed only by fully vaccinated people.
Duclos stressed that it’s up to the province’s to make healthcare decisions and if vaccinations should be mandatory.