About 17 per cent of HWCDSB staff either unvaccinated or haven’t disclosed their status

About 17 per cent of Hamilton Catholic board teachers aren't fully immunized against COVID-19 or haven't disclosed their vaccination status.

Under current rules, all Ontario school board staff are required to disclose show proof of vaccination or get tested regularly.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) chair Pat Daly said the policy applies to 4,004 staff - including teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, administrators and lunchroom supervisors - and trustees.

Of those, 3,336 - about 83 per cent - are fully vaccinated. Another 221 - about six per cent - are partially vaccinated, and 15 - less than one per cent - have a medical exemption.

More than 430 - about 11 per cent - are either not vaccinated or have not yet submitted the form, Daly said.

They will be required to provide the rapid antigen testing results and to verify that they have tested negative twice a week," he said.

Daly said staff had a period of approximately 10 days to submit proof of vaccination. The deadline has now passed, and board staff are following up with those who have not disclosed their status.

A number of these could be occasionals and staff that may have a difficult time accessing the technology," he said.

At the public board, about 90 per cent of staff have disclosed their vaccination status. About 18 per cent of those are not fully vaccinated.

Of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) staff who are unvaccinated, 10 per cent have medical exemptions. Thirty per cent have received a first dose only and 60 per cent are not vaccinated for personal reasons," spokesperson Shawn McKillop told The Spectator.

Both Catholic and public boards say they will not assign or reassign staff - to a virtual classroom, for example - based on vaccination status.

Daly said the board will follow up with - and, if necessary, discipline - any staff who do not comply.

Public board trustees voted Monday to mandate vaccines for staff and volunteers, meaning rules for the unvaccinated could become stricter than the provincial requirements.

Daly said, at this point, the Catholic board has no plans to mandate the same.

Kate McCullough is a Hamilton-based reporter covering education at The Spectator. Reach her via email: kmccullough@thespec.com