COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Section: Infection Prevention and Control/ Occupational Health and Safety Subject: COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Issue to: All Participants/Staff/Volunteer: Issued by: Dr. Roz Roach Developed: October 1st, 2021

PURPOSE Sista’s Calling Production is committed to the health and safety of its Participants, Presenters, Volunteers and Guests. Sista’s Calling Production Presenter (including all the choreographers, dancers, light engineers, musicians, stage directors and volunteers) will adhere to policies, precautions and best practices while working at Sista’s Calling Production The purpose of this policy is to implement health and safety measures that reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to participants and staff and Volunteers programs and shows and to outline organizational expectations with regards to COVID-19 immunization of Participants, Musicians and volunteers. This policy will provide all individuals participating at the show with guidance and education around receiving one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. Amendments to the policy may be required due to changes in risk assessment, public health, government or program funder guidance/directions and applicable laws.

2.0 DEFINITIONS Fully vaccinated: A person is fully immunized against COVID-19 if: they have received the total required number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada (e.g., both doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a single-dose vaccine series); and, they received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.

3.0 POLICY As an infection prevention and control measure to protect the safety of participants and staff from potential exposure to COVID-19 in Sistas Calling Production rehearsals and meetings: 1. Dancers, Producer, Musicians, Choreographers and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine, unless contraindicated for medical reasons. 2. All other participants, and volunteers are also strongly encouraged to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine, unless contraindicated for medical reasons. 3. Participants are strongly encouraged to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine unless contraindicated for medical reasons. Page 2 At a minimum all persons to whom the policy applies to select to provide one of the following: a. Proof of COVID-19 vaccine administration as per the following requirements: i. If the individual has only received the first dose of a two-dose COVID19 vaccination series approved by Health Canada, proof that the first dose was administered and, as soon as reasonably possible, proof of administration of the second dose OR ii. If the individual has received the total required number of doses of a COVID- 19 vaccine approved by Health Canada, proof of all required doses b. Written proof of a medical reason (see Section 6.0 for list of vaccine contraindications), provided by either a physician or registered nurse in the extended class at the expense of the staff, that sets out: i. That the person cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 and ii. The effective time period for the medical reason c. Proof that the individual has completed an educational program approved by DRHP and addresses the following components: i. How COVID-19 vaccines work; ii. Vaccine safety related to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines; iii. Benefits of vaccination against COVID-19; iv. Risks of not being vaccinated against COVID-19; and v. Possible side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.

4.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SURROUNDING POLICY Procedures for Providing Proof of Vaccination For participants that fall under option A. above, eligible proof of vaccination includes: Eligible proof of vaccination must be provided to the Associate Director. They will advise Program Managers/Directors if additional controls/ measures are required for individual musicians/dancers/participants/volunteers if/when necessary. For individuals who have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series and have provided proof Sistas Calling Production shall consider the person to have met the requirements of the policy until such time as they are eligible for a second dose. At that time, Sistas Calling Production shall collect proof of the individual’s second dose, or proof of a medical reason for not receiving, or proof that the individual has completed the approved educational program. Page 3 If Option B. is selected and the effective time period of a medical reason has expired, the individual will provide proof of vaccination within 30 days of the medical reason expiring, or proof of completion of the approved education program. Other Infection Prevention and Control Measures In accordance with public health advice, staff that obtain the vaccine are required to continue to follow site-specific infection prevention and control measures including screening, physical distancing, wearing the appropriate PPE and hand hygiene. Non-compliance with the policy Failure to comply with the policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis, which may include performance review and/or disciplinary action until satisfactory remediation is determined or the conditions of the policy are met. All individuals are expected to comply with the policy, for those not in compliance with the policy they will be subject to a performance review which may include disciplinary action. Vaccine Support for Sistas Calling Production’s participants will participate in vaccine clinics for Volunteers and Dancers and all other working personals as they are available.

Sistas Calling
Sistas Calling Production will distribute credible information related to the vaccine to Volunteers and participants and will arrange for informational sessions related to the vaccine.

5.0 TESTING REQUIREMENTS In the situation where an Dancer, Musician, Volunteer, or anyone involved in the production does not provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in accordance with Section 3 Option A. but instead relies upon the medical reason described at Section 3 Option B. or the educational session at Section 3 Option C, the employee, staff, contractor volunteer or student shall either: a. Submit to regular antigen point of care testing for COVID-19 and demonstrate a negative result, at intervals to be determined by the DRHP, which must be at minimum once every seven days. OR b. Provide verification of the negative test result in a manner determined by Production that enables Sistas Calling Production to confirm the result at its discretion.

6.0 COVID-19 VACCINE CONTRAINDICATIONS Page 4 List of Vaccine Contraindications Anaphylaxis and Allergies to a COVID-19 vaccine An authorized COVID-19 vaccine should not be offered routinely to individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after previous administration of a COVID-19 vaccine using a similar platform (mRNA or viral vector). If a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual; and if informed consent is provided, an authorized COVID-19 vaccine using a different platform may be considered for re-immunization (i.e., individuals with anaphylaxis post mRNA vaccine may be offered a viral vector vaccine and individuals with anaphylaxis post viral vector vaccine may be offered a mRNA vaccine). If immunization with a different platform is offered, individuals should be observed for at least 30 minutes after immunization. An authorized COVID-19 vaccine should not be routinely offered.

7.0 REFERENCES and RELATED STATEMENTS of POLICY and PROCEDURE In accordance with Accreditation standard(s): Ministry of Health. (2021). Minister’s Directive #6: Vaccination Policy in Health Settings.

https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/directives/ vaccination_policy_in_health_settings.pdf Ministry of Long-Term Care. (2021). Minister’s Directive: Long-term care home COVID-19 immunization policy. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministers-directive-long-term-care- homecovid-19-immunization-policy?_ga=2.225921369.250447272.1622753438- 2117500728.1614987392 Public Health Agency of Canada (2021). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS) National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Recommendations on the use of COVID- 19