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The rate of staff flu immunization in the Saskatoon Health Region has plummeted in the year since a mandatory immunize-or-mask policy was discontinued in favour of a voluntary policy.

“What I’m hoping is we can gather this evidence and really make a case for a mask-or-immunize policy within the province,” interim CEO Andrew Will said.

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In 2014, Saskatchewan health-care workers — including doctors, nurses, homecare workers and security staff — were told to either get a flu shot or wear a mask if they had contact with patients during influenza season. With the policy in place, SHR staff immunization hit a record 94 per cent. This year, it dropped back to more typical 63 per cent.

“Where it hits us the most is staff being away. We know there’s a good match for the immunization to the flu strains we’re experiencing right now. We would expect we’d have more people available. So right now we need staff resources and if they’re sick, it’s not helpful,” Will said.