Alberta family doctors facing aggressive patients who want COVID-19 vaccine exemptions
Global News
Raj and another Calgary physician said more than three patients a day are asking their clinics for a COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption.
Some family physicians in Alberta say they are dealing with an increasing number of aggressive, misinformed and untrusting patients who want a note exempting them from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Two of three Calgary doctors who spoke to The Canadian Press also said some people have yelled racist comments at them after they declined to write a note because the patients did not have health conditions known to cause serious side-effects to a shot.
“They mostly comment on my brown skin and hijab,” said Dr. Sakina Raj. “I’m also Muslim… so they come to religion and they get personal with that.
“But I still am kind to them. I calm them down nicely. I’m too experienced to be stressed by them.”
Raj said since Premier Jason Kenney announced a proof of vaccination program to try to turn back a crippling fourth wave in the province, safety has become such a concern that Sehet Medical Clinic is now dealing with new patients wanting an exemption only on the phone.
Raj and another Calgary physician said more than three patients a day are asking their clinics for an exemption. Dr. Mukarram Zaidi said one patient tried to bribe him with $200.
When Zaidi declined, the patient became aggressive and began talking to him louder about ethics, he said.
Zaidi said few people are eligible for an exemption. They include anyone diagnosed with myocarditis or pericarditis — inflammation of the heart or its membrane — or someone who has a confirmed anaphylactic allergy to an ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine.
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