Unvaccinated nurses won't be allowed to practise in Quebec, order confirms

The president of the Quebec Order of Nurses says the order will suspend the licenses of nurses who aren't adequately vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Radio-Canada.

The decision comes after Health Minister Christian Dubé asked that all professional orders in the health sector suspend the licenses of workers who aren't immunized.

On Monday, the union representing nurses, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), said it plans to challenge "any decision that could cause disproportionate harm" to its members in court. 

"It is clear to the FIQ that protecting the health and safety of the most vulnerable people and of staff remains the priority," the federation wrote in a Facebook post.

"On the other hand, the FIQ considers the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec's decision excessive given that frontline health-care professionals who are not adequately vaccinated will already be suspended without pay."

Quebec's Collège des médecins already announced it would suspend unvaccinated members' right to practise in person and remotely, until they received both doses.

Among nurses, 4,338 aren't fully vaccinated, and 2,807 haven't received their first dose, Luc Mathieu, president of the Quebec Order of Nurses, told Radio-Canada's Tout un matin.