British Columbia will require all health-care workers in public facilities to disclose their immunization status for COVID-19, influenza, and other critical vaccine-preventable diseases. This mandate follows the end of the COVID-19 public-health emergency.
As of July 26, 2024, health-care workers, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers, and contractors, must report their vaccination status to ensure swift actions in the event of an outbreak or exposure. Measures for unvaccinated workers may include masking, modified duties, or exclusion from work.
“Four and a half years ago, people throughout B.C. came together to keep each other safe through the COVID-19 pandemic, including our extraordinary health-care workers,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Health-care workers are strong supporters of vaccination, and the vast majority have stepped up to get immunized and keep themselves and those they care for safe.”
The new reporting requirement aims to maintain safety within health-care settings and support a healthy workforce. It applies to workers in health-authority-operated and contracted facilities, with immediate collection of immune-status records for new hires and appointees.
Additionally, workers must report vaccination or previous infection status for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, whooping cough (pertussis), and chicken pox (varicella). This data will now be consistently collected through a provincial registry.
Health-care workers previously terminated for not complying with COVID-19 immunization orders can apply for rehire. The new system allows health-authority employers to keep vaccination records current and offer vaccinations as needed.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, emphasized the importance of immunization: “We know that immunization works to help protect people from illness, including vaccines that protect against COVID-19. It is the best tool we have to prevent diseases, like COVID-19, measles, and others that can cause severe illness in the health-care setting.”
The decision to rescind the public-health emergency was based on data showing stabilized hospitalization rates and a levelling off of the SARS-CoV-2 virus presence. Immunization remains crucial for protecting individuals and the health-care system.
Quick Facts:
- Immune status refers to immunity through previous vaccination or infection.
- Vaccination and immune status collection is part of an ongoing plan to increase immunity rates for all vaccine-preventable diseases in B.C.’s health-care system.
- The requirement aligns with the 2019 Vaccination Status Reporting Regulation for students in the provincial school system.
