Southern Health is strongly urging staff in its many health care facilities to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The RHA board is growing increasingly concerned about patients and clients being exposed to the COVID-19 virus from staff who are not vaccinated.

Dr. Denis Fortier, VP for health services in Southern Health, says the evidence shows vaccines provide a significant amount of protection by reducing the severity of symptoms and the transmissibility of the virus.

"In light of that, we as a region are advocating very, very strongly that all of our staff consider getting vaccinated for their own health, for the health of their family and community, and especially for the health of the people they are caring for in their line of work."

Fortier says close to 99 per cent of physicians in the region have been vaccinated with either the first shot or both.

"When we get to the other staff, it is less than that number. I think probably more than the general population in southern Health but not at that 90 percent level, I believe."

Dr. Fortier says when people enter health care facilities in the region there is an expectation of safety which is why the RHA is asking all staff members to take steps to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. He says, however, no one can be compelled to take the vaccine.

"There is a moral and ethical duty, I believe, but it's debatable. In a free country that can be debated and certainly is being debated."

He points out, however, that patients entering health care facilities have the right to ask questions about their care when they enter a health care facility.

"I would say, as a general reminder, that the best person to advocate for your care is you. So, you have a right to ask questions. If there was ever a time when individuals should be asking questions, hard questions and not shying away from it and advocating for themselves, now is the time."