Hamilton city council votes to keep its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy

Hamilton city council has voted to keep its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for city workers in place.

After a 6-6 draw, a vote for pausing the City of Hamilton’s vaccine policy for public employees went down as a defeat Wednesday.

“Throughout the pandemic, the City of Hamilton has been steadfastly committed to supporting the health and safety of the broader community and providing a safe working environment for our employees, volunteers and students,” Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said in a statement.

“Ensuring high rates of vaccination remains one of the most important ways we can protect our community.”

Currently, 441 city employees who are either unvaccinated or will not disclose their status are required to regularly do a rapid test. They make up roughly six per cent of the city workforce.

However, as a result of the vote, those people will be fired by June 1.

The city implemented its policy in August 2021, and amended it further this past January to include termination of employment for employees who fail to disclose their status as fully vaccinated by May 31.