Medical exemptions to Ontario's vaccine passport system should be exceedingly rare, doctors warn
As the province's vaccine certificate program takes effect in non-essential businesses, doctors are warning that there are very few legitimate medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine—and notes excusing Ontarians from receiving it should be "vanishingly rare."
“I think the expectation is that there might be an uptick in the request by individuals, of doctors, to grant those exemptions,” Dr. Adam Kassam, president of the Ontario Medical Association, told CTV News Toronto Wednesday.
“We know that those exemption criteria are very, very narrowly-defined.”
Guidance from Ontario’s Ministry of Health advises “there are very few actual contraindications to available COVID-19 vaccines that would qualify as medical exemptions and most individuals can safely receive COVID-19 vaccines.”
The exceptions, according to the ministry, largely apply to anyone who experienced myocarditis or pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle or membrane, following the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 shot, or anyone aged 12-17 with either of those conditions prior to receiving a COVID-19 shot.
Anyone with a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to a component of a COVID-19 vaccine could also be deemed exempt through the assessment of an allergist or immunologist.
“Allergists or immunologists may go an entire career without seeing an allergy to one of the key ingredients of this vaccine,” Dr. Kassam said.
Anyone who experienced a serious adverse event following the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine should be referred to an allergist or immunologist, according to the Ministry of Health, which stated that in many cases the second dose could still be administered safely under the management of that specialist.
Ontario family physician Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth has never had a patient in her practice with a true medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine, and stresses that doctors’ notes excusing patients from getting immunized should not be common practice.
“It [would] be very disconcerting to see people parading around with exemptions and trying to skirt the rules.” said Dr. Kaplan-Myrth. “That is dangerous.”
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has already warned doctors to be judicious about handing out notes to people who don’t want to get immunized.
Dr. Kaplan-Myrth stressed that discussions with patients present an opportunity to clarify misinformation about vaccine safety.
“The most important thing is not assuming they are anti-vaccine,” echoed Trillium Health Partners infectious diseases physician Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti. “Many just have questions, which I think is very reasonable, and I’ve had many of these conversations and have provided reassurance to help people vaccinated.”
Any valid medical exemption used to access to a non-essential business in Ontario must include the name and contact information of the doctor or nurse who provided it, the reason for the exemption, and the time period for which it is valid.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.