The health authority is reminding those applying for exemptions to vaccine mandates that there are only two reasons public health will issue a medical vaccine exemption:
- a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine (anaphylaxis)
- inflammation of the heart or thin wall surrounding the heart as a result of a previous dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, referred to medically as myocarditis or pericarditis
When someone is seeking exemption because of a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose, the health authority says it will issue a temporary exemption until the individual can see an allergist who will oversee future jabs.
“NTHSSA providers will not issue vaccine exemptions for non-medical reasons, such as religious belief, personal objection to vaccines, or any other reason,” the public notice posted by the Health Authority on Oct. 21 reads.
READ: Public Notice - Medical Vaccine Exemptions, Travel and Workplace Testing
The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission issued a statement on Oct. 8 advising that vaccine mandates are not a violation of Charter rights.
“A person who chooses not to get vaccinated because of a personal choice or singular belief, is not protected under the NWT Human Rights Act, and does not have the right under the Act to be accommodated,” the statement reads.
READ: NWT Human Rights Commission’s Statement on Mandatory Vaccine Policies and Passports