QCOSTARICA – The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) announced Friday through a statement that health workers must comply with the mandatory vaccination against covid-19.
However, the CCSS did not specify which personnel must comply with the order.
The general manager of the CCSS, Roberto Cervantes Barrantes, affirms that there is already a procedure to follow when there is a refusal to vaccinate and since last April 16, it has been proceeding as established.
Decree No. 42889-S establishes the mandatory application of the COVID-19 vaccine, as follows:
- Compliance with the vaccination of work teams will be transferred to each headquarters and indicates that all officials must be vaccinated when appropriate.
- The exception will be made for those officials who, due to a duly declared medical contraindication, are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- A list of people who refuse to be vaccinated with full personal identification and service should be made; the data will be confidential.
In addition, the steps to be followed to adopt the measures that guarantee compliance with the executive decree were established:
- Those who refuse will be given a notice of prevention in which they are given 5 working days to comply with the procedure or to provide the medical reasons that make it impossible to be vaccinated.
- The administration will refer each case to the occupational physician and the person in charge of immunizations at the workplace, who will explain the need to apply the vaccine, its efficacy, safety and possible local or systemic reactions, as well as the benefits or advantages.
- When analyzing the particular case, the supervisor of the worker is informed whether or not there is a medical contraindication for the application of the vaccine against COVID-19; this in order to analyze alternative measures.
- If the absence of justification on the part of the worker is verified and they still refuse to be vaccinated, the administration will assess an administrative procedure or a possible disciplinary responsibility.
In that case, the administration must comply with the Labor Relations Regulations, safeguarding the principle of due process, proportionality and reasonableness in sanctioning matters, in order that a possible procedure be notified to the investigated within a period of one month.
Cervantes called on each worker to assess their role within the institution and understand the importance of each one’s action to offer the safest possible health space.
“Thanks to science we can fight the pandemic with a safe vaccine and that is why we know that by getting vaccinated we are also protecting our loved ones, patients and users of health services,” said the general manager.
Likewise, Luis Bolaños Guzmán, director of the Labor Welfare Directorate points out that the possibility of taking more important measures will be the final resource and educational options must have been exhausted so that the worker understands the importance of being vaccinated for him and the work environment of the.
“We trust in being able to have a frank conversation with each of those who do not wish to be vaccinated, which is why the instrument allows, among other things, the exposure to risk of the worker to be assessed. Health, good labor relations and respect for due process are fundamental factors for the well-being of each person,”, stated Bolaños.
Doctor of the Children’s Hospital who refused to be vaccinated must do so compulsorily
The CCSS order extends also to the pediatrician at the National Children’s Hospital (HNN) who refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The doctor (whose identity was not released) became infected with COVID-19 and had contact with 3 children who were receiving care in the hospital. The patients were treated with the respective personal protective equipment and after doing the respective tests to identify if they were infected, they were negative for COVID-19.
According to the medical center, a face-to-face prevention call was extended to the doctor.
Olga Arguedas, general director of the Pediatric Center at the HNN, pointed out that in a mandatory way and in accordance with the provisions of the law, the doctor must compulsorily get the vaccine against COVID-19.
Arguedas reported that at this time they are working to schedule her vaccination appointment.
“She must have the vaccine compulsorily according to the legal provisions. The vaccination schedule is in process,” said Arguedas.
