Sun Peaks health centre inundated with requests for COVID-19 vaccine exemption letters
SUN PEAKS, B.C. — A doctor at the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre has written a letter to patients of the centre, saying he’s disappointed with the number of people requesting a letter exempting them from a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Shane Barclay, in a letter made public Wednesday (Sept. 8), says he’s writing with some dismay, but he says the list of exemptions is fairly standard, and to issue a letter to a patient who doesn’t meet the established criteria amounts to fraud. Dr. Barclay says he is not prepared to commit fraud so someone can avoid a vaccine.
Barclay notes that patients are frustrated about being ‘mandated’ to get a vaccine. But he says people are mandated to wear seat belts, they are mandated to follow speed limits on the road, and other activities to protect the public. He says COVID vaccines decrease the likelihood that people will die of the disease.
Sun Peaks Community Health Centre will now start asking patients who need to be seen in person if they are double-vaccinated. If they are, they will be booked during the day. If patients are single- or not vaccinated, they will be booked but only as the final appointment of the day at 4:15 p.m. The protocol is primarily meant to protect the unvaccinated.
