Ministry of Health
Office of Chief Medical Officer of
Health, Public Health
Box 12
Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
March 9, 2022
MEMORANDUM
TO:Public Hospitals, Home Care and Community Services Providers Organizations Home and Community Care Supports Services Organizations Ambulance Services (Paramedics)
FROM:Dr. Kieran M. Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario
RE:Revocation of Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #6
As you are aware, in response to positive trends in key public health and health system indicators (e.g., ICU admissions, hospitalizations and other indicators), the province is now easing public health and workplace safety measures.
I am writing today to confirm that Directive #6 first issued on August 17, 2021, and subsequently revised February 2, 2022, regarding COVID-19 vaccination policies and testing policies for public hospitals, home care and community services providers organizations, Home and Community Care Supports Services organizations and ambulance services with respect to paramedics will be revoked effective March 14, 2022.
I want to thank all organizations covered in this Directive for your efforts in implementing COVID-19 vaccination policies for your employees, staff, contractors, volunteers and students and complying with the requirements of the Directive.
I understand that as of December 1, 2021, Covered Organizations have reported significant COVID-19 vaccination coverage among their staff, and these include:
- Hospitals: 97.9% of clinical nurses, 98.7% other clinical staff, and 96.4% non-clinical staff have reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
- Home and Community Care: 96.5% of clinical nurses, 94.3% other clinical staff, and 94.2% non-clinical staff have reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19; and
- Paramedics: 97.2% of paramedics have reported being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
I am very pleased with these achievements, and I thank you and your colleagues as well as all Covered Organizations for the work in this realm.
Vaccination will remain one of the cornerstone interventions for our ongoing protection against COVID-19. Organizations who have not already done so are strongly encouraged to integrate COVID-19 vaccination policies into their existing occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
I encourage all health care workers as well as all Ontarians to remain up-to-date in their COVID-19 vaccines, and to receive all doses, including additional doses, that are recommended as soon as they are eligible.
We will also continue to keep you apprised of changes to Ontario’s COVID-19 situation and appreciate your ongoing partnership and dedication to this critical work.
Once again, thank you for your sustained efforts and commitment to the health and safety of staff, patients and visitors across Ontario’s health care sector.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kieran M. Moore, MD, CCFP(EM), FCFP, MPH, DTM&H, FRCPC, FCAHS Chief Medical Officer of Health
c. Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, Ontario Health
Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association
Melanie Fraser, Associate Deputy Minister, Health System Delivery, MOH
Peter Kaftarian, Assistant Deputy Minister, Hospitals and Capital Division, MOH
Susan Picarello, Assistant Deputy Minister, Emergency Health Services Division, MOH
Amy Olmstead, Executive Lead, Ontario Health Teams Division, MOH
Dr. Michelle Murti, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, MOH
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, MOH
Elizabeth Choi, Manager, Transition Strategic Policy and Programs, MOH
Colleen Kiel, Director, Strategy and Planning Branch, Ministry of Health, MOH