The Medical Association is sounding the alarm about what they’re calling “vaccine inequity” among physicians.
The NLMA says the issue lies in the Eastern Health region. In Central, Western, and Labrador-Grenfell Health, community physicians have either already received, or are scheduled to receive, their vaccinations.
In contrast, while Eastern Health is vaccinating physicians in its own facilities, it has “overlooked” doctors in community-based practices. The NLMA says as of yet, those physicians have not been offered the chance to get the vaccine.
NLMA President, Dr. Lynette Powell says other health authorities have recognized that family physicians are “indistinguishable” from frontline healthcare providers in hospitals, and she is calling for the “massive disconnect” to be addressed immediately.
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie indicates physicians are being vaccinated according to how likely they are to be exposed to COVID-19.
Because of what he calls “historical issues in Eastern Health” there is a small group of physicians that have very little connection to the health authority’s facilities. Those physicians, who Haggie believes to be “small in number,” will be covered under phase two of the province’s vaccination roll out.