In an effort to maintain the safety of its health care environment, the
Pembroke Regional Hospital will be following provincial guidance and implementing newly-
issued Directive No. 6 effective September 7th which ensures that hospitals and others in the
health care sector have strong vaccination policies in place for staff, physicians,
contractors, students and volunteers.
In addition, following the lead of other hospitals in the province and throughout our region,
PRH will be taking the direction a step further and, as part of a phased approach, be
implementing a mandatory vaccination policy effective October 15th .
Under the new rules, everyone covered by the policy will need to be fully vaccinated against
COVID-19. Until that date, PRH will ensure that everyone who has not yet been vaccinated
will receive an education session on COVID-19 vaccines and will be subject to regular
testing.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have been tested and challenged in every aspect of our
lives. With the fourth wave upon us, we face another challenge,” said PRH President and
CEO Pierre Noel.
“There are still individuals in our community who cannot be vaccinated due to their age and
medical conditions – a significant risk to our community as the Delta variant spreads. As a
health care organization, Pembroke Regional Hospital has a duty and commitment to protect
the health and safety of our staff, patients and visitors and getting vaccinated remains the
most effective way to keep everyone safe,” Mr. Noel said.
While he admits that the decision to implement this policy was not an easy choice, he noted
that, given PRH provides care to some of the most vulnerable people in the region, it is the
right thing to do.
“Patients and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about the vaccination status of the people
around them when they access our care. Our health care team also should not have to worry
about this as they do their work. It is part of our commitment to each other and the people
we serve in our community,” Mr. Noel said.