https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/03/vancouver-coastal-health-top-doctors-say-covid-19-vaccine-not-effective-preventing-infection-transmission-omicron-variant-calls-drop-covid-19-restrictions/
In mid-February, top doctors at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) sent a letter
to the University of British Columbia (UBC) to end its mandatory rapid
testing and Covid-19 restriction, claiming that these measures may
cause more harm than good.
VCH Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Patricia Daly and three other
medical health officers urged the UBC to discontinue mandatory rapid
testing for students, employees, and staff, claiming that rapid antigen
testing is ‘unreliable in identifying infection with the Omicron
variant.’
“While we applaud UBC for its work to protect and promote
the wellbeing of students, staff and faculty, we believe some of the
measures in place on campus – such as ongoing mandatory rapid tests for
unvaccinated students and staff, and related employment/academic
sanctions – are not useful in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 on
campus. Not only is Rapid Antigen Testing of asymptomatic people
unreliable in identifying infection with the Omicron variant, but we
have no evidence that those who have not complied with UBC policies have
posed any public health risk to their fellow students, faculty, or
staff, even during circulation of other variants.”
The doctors also insisted on discontinuing the
university’s intent to deregister students who have not complied with
the mandatory testing and those who failed to declare their vaccination
status.
In their letter, the doctors also mentioned that the Covid-19 vaccine
is ineffective at preventing infection or transmission of the Omicron
variant.
“Current scientific evidence, including BC data, indicates
that COVID-19 vaccination (2-doses), while effective at preventing
severe illness, is not effective at preventing infection or transmission
of the Omicron variant of the virus, which now accounts for almost 100%
of cases in the province. Therefore there is now no material difference
in likelihood that a UBC student or staff member who is vaccinated or
unvaccinated may be infected and potentially infectious to others. We
also know that Omicron causes less serious illness than other variants
of COVID-19, which is particularly true for young people,” the doctors
argued.
“Today, provincial officials announced that because
British Columbia has a highly vaccinated population, and thanks to
dropping rates of COVID-19 and subsequent hospitalizations, it’s time to
ease some of the restrictions that are no longer useful in preventing
the spread of COVID-19,” doctors continued.
Two weeks after receiving the letter, UBC drops weekly COVID testing for students and faculty.
Castanet reported:
About two weeks after receiving the letter, UBC announced the end of
its rapid testing program on Feb. 28, ending the school’s
rapid-test-or-vaccine program on March 1.
“We have no evidence that those who have not complied with UBC
policies have posed any public health risk to their fellow students,
faculty or staff even during circulation of other variants.”
The health officials apparently penned the letter in response to UBC
considering de-registering students who have not declared their
vaccination status.
“We strongly advise against implementing such a program,” the letter states.
The doctors refer in the letter to a study that looks at the impact
of mandatory vaccination policies. The study concludes that such
policies “may lead to detrimental long-term impacts on uptake of future
public health measures, including COVID-19 vaccines themselves and
routine immunizations.”
“Restricting people’s access to work, education, public transport,
and social life based on COVID-19 vaccination status impinges on human
rights, promotes stigma and social polarization, and adversely affects
health and wellbeing,” the study abstract continues.
The positions outlined in the letter by Dr. Daly and her colleagues
were a significant break from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie
Henry, who has urged employers and school boards to implement
vaccination mandates.
Susan Glasser
Pierre Zakrzewski
