Unvaccinated Calgarians denied medical care a 'misunderstanding,' says clinic

Two Calgary women unvaccinated against COVID-19 were denied access to medical facilities this week. Both want additional information and greater freedom to choose before deciding to get vaccinated.

Bree Alexander took her six-month-old daughter Kalayah to the MCI The Doctor's Office clinic to examine eczema on her infant's foot. But she was denied entry because Alexander didn't have her COVID-19 shots.

Staff said she wasn't allowed in the building. Alexander "started bawling and left."

While she isn't against vaccinations, as her young children have received their shots, she found the "forced" attempts to encourage people to get their COVID-19 shots off-putting.

"I'm fully vaccinated except for the COVID-19 shot," said the mother of two, adding she would like to get more information about the vaccine before making a decision.

Calgarian Nickie Edwards, 36, was denied a follow-up in-person appointment with her back surgeon at Canadian Surgery Solutions because she remains unvaccinated.

She, like Alexander, wants to be fully informed and have the freedom to decide when the time is right for her.

"I was pretty disappointed because I had a lot of questions and a lot of concerns and a lot of things I wanted him to see," said Edwards. "For instance, my ability to bend, my ability to walk and all those things I'm not doing very well."

Canadian Surgery Solutions responded to an inquiry by CTV News, who said the facility offered both in-person and virtual appointments to patients during the pandemic. But clarified an appointment immediately following surgery is done at the clinic with the doctor.

The clinic claimed it does not deny patients healthcare regardless of their vaccination status. However, Edwards said Thursday a receptionist told her unvaccinated people are denied entry into the clinic.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta said they are unaware of how many unvaccinated patients were denied care but confirmed they heard of many occurrences of it happening.

In a statement, the college said: "We are working on updated guidance to physicians and clinics that clearly states patients cannot be denied care based on their vaccination status. However, physicians have the right to protect their patients and staff, and other measures may be considered by the physician, such as virtual care, postponing non-urgent visits and scheduling appointments at certain times."

An MCI spokesperson said there was a 'misunderstanding' with its pre-screening process.

"In order to protect all of our patients and staff, our clinics responsibly pre-screen incoming patients for symptoms of COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination status of a patient (or their family caregivers) is not a factor in pre-screening to allow entry to our clinics nor for provision of care," reads the statement.

"We regret that a localized misinterpretation of new public policy resulted in a patient not receiving in-person care. Immediately upon learning of this unacceptable incident, we have clarified the approach with the staff and doctors of this clinic and our MCI Medical Clinics in Calgary.

"We sincerely apologize to the family that had this experience."

Alexander has since rebooked her appointment with the clinic and hopes her experience will educate others they have a right to access medical care.

"It is my right not to be vaccinated or vaccinated," she said.

"I'm not going out in public and doing everything, [and] I'm staying home like I'm supposed to. I'm going to see a medical doctor, so they should be able to see me regardless of my medical history."