Toronto hospital program persuades staff to get COVID-19 vaccinations

The medical director for quality and patient safety at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Hospital is taking a variety of approaches to reassure staff about vaccine safety. The strategies included Zoom huddles, where she took questions and offered information. Other huddles were in person, on the wards or in the kitchen or janitorial room. After the sessions, people could use a confidential email to ask any questions they didn't want to ask in person. Her team also trained over 100 people as vaccine champions who are available for one-on-one talks or for large team meetings to address concerns over vaccines. These champions work in different jobs, have different life experiences and backgrounds. Over 95% of Sunnybrook staff received the COVID-19 vaccine and almost 1,000 staff members took part in the program.