A rally against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations was held in the capital city today.

Upwards of 50 people gathered on Clinch Crescent near the Health Sciences Centre to protest the possibility of mandatory COVID vaccines for workers in the health care sector.

Demonstrators held signs reading things like “no jab for job mandate” and “stop medical segregation.”

St. John’s East candidate for the People’s Party of Canada, and a representative of the Canadian Frontline Nurses organization, Dana Metcalfe calls it a human rights issue.

She says Health Minister John Haggie said that mandatory vaccination may be a human rights issue, and they want to let the provincial government know how they feel about what they call the federal government’s “medical tyranny.”

Nurses Union Offers Statement on Rally

The Registered Nurses Union as well as the Canadian Federation of Nurses Union say they are not in any way affiliated with those calling themselves Canadian Frontline Nurses.

In a statement issued today, the RNU says throughout the pandemic they have always stood on the side of science and have consistently advocated for “evidence-based public health measures to stem the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, masking and vaccination.”

The RNU says it is unfortunate that the group is taking attention away from important vaccination efforts across the province and country. The union says the vast majority of registered nurses know the devastating effects of COVID-19 and “understand that the only way out of this pandemic is through social distancing, masking and vaccination.”

Read the Canadian Federation of Nurses Union’s position on COVID-19 vaccination, updated on August 24, at this link.