1 nurse is gone and 2 others disciplined after family members were given COVID-19 vaccine

OneHamilton public health nurse has been dismissed, and two othersdisciplined but still employed, after seven people were vaccinated forCOVID-19 vaccine who shouldn't have been.

The city investigated on March 5 after hearing the family members of one of the nurses didn't qualify for the vaccine, but received it anyway. Since then, three nurses have been on paid leave.

The city "has taken appropriate disciplinary action" for the nurses, the city said in a media release Tuesday.

"This includes action that has resulted in one employee no longer working with the city."

The vaccinations happened at a pop-up clinic. The city wouldn't say what the investigation entailed, or name the nurses, but said human resources and public health teamed up for it.

The city is "committed to ensuring its vaccine clinics operate in a way that is fair, transparent" and prioritizes "those most vulnerable to the disease," said Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Hamilton's medical officer of health.

"Any actions that impact the vaccine's eligibility criteria will be taken seriously and dealt with accordingly," she said in a release.

Jen Vickers-Manzin, chief nursing officer of Hamilton Public Health Services said the incident "does not reflect or take away from the instrumental role our nurses have played in Hamilton's COVID-19 response.

"Nurses working in public health have demonstrated adaptability, dedication, and a commitment to excellence."

As of Monday, health workershave administered 69,251 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in Hamilton, or 10.3 per cent of the eligible population. Of those,18,275 were at mobile clinics.