Doctors say Sask. vaccine exemption letters not a free pass to avoid COVID shots
CBC
Some people in the province are asking their physicians for vaccine exemption letters, but the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan says there might be some misunderstandings when it comes to the term "exemption".
The organization in charge of licensing medical practitioners in the province sent a letter to its members with some guidance on how to deal with requests for COVID-19 vaccination exemptions.
"I think there is an unrealistic expectation," said Dr. Werner Oberholzer, deputy registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
"The College first had to clarify to the physicians and to the public what we mean by this exemption note that has been requested."
According to the letter sent out by the College, getting a note from a physician that someone cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine doesn't mean that the patient is "free from an obligation or liability due to their unvaccinated status."
Oberholzer said a doctor's note is not an easy way around COVID-19 restrictions for people hoping to travel abroad or visit a football game, just because they cannot receive a vaccine.
An exemption letter cannot override "rules that might be in place for businesses or borders," said Karen Shaw, registrar at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
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