Why COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are rare on P.E.I.

Some Islanders hoping to skirt COVID-19 vaccination requirements on P.E.I. through a medical or religious exemption are winding up disappointed. 

The P.E.I. Human Rights Commission says it's had several calls from people wondering if they have grounds for an exemption, or to file a human rights complaint if they're not granted one. 

That's since the province brought in its Vax Pass program in early October, and UPEI and Holland College made vaccinations mandatory for staff and students. 

"But we haven't had any where we've said 'Yeah, you should come in and file a complaint. That would pass the test,'" said Brenda Picard, the commission's executive director. "It's important for people to know it's not just about their personal conviction."

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office does consider exemption requests from Islanders who claim they can't get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical reasons, and want to enter non-essential businesses and events without a Vax Pass. 

UPEI and Holland College review both medical and religious exemption requests. With an exemption, students and staff who aren't fully vaccinated can stay on campus, as long as they go through weekly testing. 

But based on statistics provided to CBC, the number of exemptions actually granted has been low. 

Since the province launched its Vax Pass program in early October, the Chief Public Health Office has received 48 medical exemption request forms from physicians or nurse practitioners on behalf of their patients.  

Of those, 43 exemptions have been approved. 

It's a relatively small number because, as the province states on its website, "medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination may be granted for extremely rare circumstances."

"That may be someone who had an adverse event after the first dose, or if they have anaphylaxis to a component of the vaccine," said Dr. Heather Morrison, the province's chief public health officer.

UPEI didn't provide statistics on how many requests it's received and approved. 

But according to a spokesperson at Holland College, "the Registrar's Office received 24 student requests for exemptions out of 2,400 students. Very few student exemptions were approved." 

The college wouldn't reveal how many staff applied for exemptions, or break down how many of the requests were for medical or religious exemptions, citing privacy concerns.