Provincial health officer rescinds orders for COVID-19, now mandatory for health care workers to disclose immunization status

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 66, No. 7, September 2024, News

Dr Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, issued an order to end the public-health emergency for COVID-19 and rescind all related orders as of 26 July 2024. The province has been in a public-health emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. 

While COVID-19 is not gone, Dr Henry acknowledges there are now high levels of protection in the health care system and in communities throughout BC, and we can continue to manage COVID-19 without the need for the public-health emergency. The latest epidemiological data shows the risk posed by the SARS CoV-2 virus is reduced. Wastewater indicators and testing data show COVID-19 has levelled off and the number of people in intensive care and in hospitals is lower and stable. The level of protection provided by vaccines and hybrid immunity is also helping to protect people.

Mandatory disclosure of immunization

In response to the end of the COVID-19 public-health emergency, which ends the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in health care settings, the province is making it mandatory for health care workers to disclose their immunization status. All health care workers in public health care facilities must report their immunization for COVID-19 and influenza and their immune status for other critical vaccine-preventable diseases to allow for quick action to be taken in the event of an exposure, outbreak, or future pandemic to ensure health care workers who are not immune follow appropriate measures. Depending on the circumstances, measures could include masking, modified duties, or exclusion from work.

The mandatory reporting requirement comes into effect on 26 July 2024 and applies to health care workers in health-authority-operated and contracted facilities, and includes doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers, and contractors.

Health care workers must report their vaccination status for COVID-19 and influenza.

Health care workers must report whether they have been vaccinated or have previously contracted:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis B
  • Whooping cough (pertussis)
  • Chicken pox (varicella)

Some of this information was previously collected by health authorities and now will be collected through a provincial registry to ensure reporting is consistent throughout BC. The requirement to report will be phased in, beginning with the immediate collection of immune-status records for all new hires and appointees.

Health care workers who were terminated because they did not comply with previous orders requiring COVID-19 immunization can apply and be hired for positions.

Through the new reporting process, health-authority employers will be able to regularly connect with health care workers, such as contractors, to ensure their vaccination status is up to date. The province will offer vaccinations to employees and contractors as needed to ensure their health and that of their patients.

Immunization remains the best way to protect people, communities, and the health care system. BC has some of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Canada; however, it is crucial that people continue to get immunized.

Learn more

Learn more about the public-health emergency: https://news.gov.bc.ca/31376

BC Centre for Disease Control immunization manual:
www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Epid/CD%20Manual/Chapter%202%20-%20Imms/Part2/HealthCareWorkers.pdf 
 

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. Provincial health officer rescinds orders for COVID-19, now mandatory for health care workers to disclose immunization status. BCMJ, Vol. 66, No. 7, September, 2024, Page(s) - News.


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