Province of BC removes Covid Vaccine mandate for most public servants outside of Health, outlines plans for Spring Booster program

The world marked the third anniversary Saturday of a significant and life altering moment in our history, with March 11th of 2020 the date that the World Health Organization issued a warning on a newly discovered virus called COVID.

The WHO statement served as the prelude of events which then delivered over two years of public health measures and societal change along sadly, with a significant loss of life from the virus.

The anniversary was one marked by Premier David Eby with a statement that recounted where we were then and where were at now. 

"Today is Canada’s National Day of Observance. On this day, we take time to remember all those who have died or have had health complications as a result of COVID-19, and honour our health-care and front-line workers who have been working selflessly and courageously since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago. 

It was on March 11, 2020, that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic. Since then, SARS COV-2 virus has challenged people and communities around the world in unprecedented ways. 

Today, we stand together and observe a moment of silence to remember and honour those people who have lost their lives, while also thinking of their family and friends. This virus has been particularly hard on seniors and Elders in our families and communities and we hold them in our thoughts again today."

The last year has seen an easing of most of the measures put in place, the economy slowly recovering as has a sense of normalcy for those of us who lived through the COVID years.

One day prior to the Anniversary, the BC Government took another step back from the days of COVID mandates, announcing that the Mandatory vaccination policy had been rescinded for Provincial Public Servants.

The change in policy comes into place as of April 3rd. The main focus for the elimination of the vaccination mandate was noted as follows:

"The decision to rescind the policy was made based on the high level of vaccination among public-service employees and the current state of the pandemic. More than 98% of employees met the requirement, which helped keep everyone safe. 

Rescinding the vaccination policy means a small number of employees on administrative leave due to non-compliance will be provided the opportunity to return to the workplace. 

The Public Service Agency has provided direction to ministries and will work with supervisors to support a smooth transition. This change also means that contractors and other non-employees do not need to be vaccinated to enter BC Public Service workplaces."

However there will still be some requirements for provincial employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated, with the largest focus on the Health Care sector.

"While the public service is removing its policy, people are still required to be vaccinated if they work in settings with provincial health officer orders or other vaccination requirements. 

Vaccine mandates remain in highest-risk settings where the most vulnerable live and are cared for. This includes facilities in the health-care system."

The full statement can be reviewed here.

Also on Friday, Provincial Health Officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minster Adrian Dix outlined what the provincial approach on COVID, which is still a very real part of our lives, will look like.

In particular, they provided guidance on what the next Booster Shot program will look like and who it will be directed at, with a reminder that those who not yet been vaccinated with a primary series of vaccinations should do so as soon as possible.

As for those who followed the health guidance from Day one and awaiting word on what the Booster program will look like, the health officials outlined the following program that will launch this spring.

“The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recently issued guidance on additional booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine. B.C. will be adopting this guidance; people at high risk of severe illness including individuals older than 80, all seniors in long-term care homes, Indigenous people older than 70 and people 18 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can get a spring booster. 

In addition to high-risk individuals, people 60 and older, or Indigenous people 50 and older, who have not previously contracted COVID-19, can also consider receiving a spring booster dose. 

We also continue to encourage everyone six months and older to get immunized with a primary series and, if they’re eligible, a booster dose, including anyone 18 and over who has not yet received a bivalent booster dose." 

Appointments are available across B.C. at pharmacies and public health clinics and can be made by phoning 1 883 838-2323

You can also register on line here.

More background on the Booster vaccination program can be reviewed here.

Northern Health's information relay on COVID can be explored here.

You can review our full archive of the times of COVID here.

For Health care themes in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.