BC declares COVID-19 emergency over, implements new vaccine policy

BC’s COVID-19 public health emergency is over.

Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, made the announcement this morning (Friday). Her full statement is copied at the bottom of this article.

This announcement ends the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in healthcare settings, however, the province is implementing a new vaccination policy for its healthcare workers.

“All healthcare workers in public healthcare facilities must report their immunization for COVID-19 and influenza and their immune status for other critical vaccine-preventable diseases,” the Ministry of Health said in a news release.

These other diseases are measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and chicken pox.

They said the policy will allow for “quick action to be taken” to ensure non-immunized workers “follow appropriate measures” should there be an outbreak, exposure, or another pandemic.

They said this may range from masking and different duties all the way to exclusion from work.

“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,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

“By shifting to a new requirement for health-care workers to report their immune status for key vaccine preventable diseases including COVID-19, we are continuing to take actions that keep people safe, support a healthy workforce and a strong health-care system.”

This mandatory requirement comes into effect immediately, the Ministry adding “Reporting vaccination status aligns with health-care workers’ ethical and moral duties to take science-based measures, such as vaccination, to reduce the risk of harm to people in their care.”

The Ministry also noted that healthcare workers who lost their jobs because they did not follow the previous COVID immunization orders can once again be hired for medical positions.

Here is Dr. Henry’s full statement:

“As British Columbia’s provincial health officer, I am issuing an order to end the public-health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinding all related orders.

“Since March 2020, we have been in a provincial public-health emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. While COVID-19 is not gone, we now have high levels of protection in the health-care system and in communities throughout B.C.

“The latest epidemiological data I have received 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 us.

“Throughout the pandemic, we regularly reviewed the PHO orders based on data and evidence, such as: infection rates; sources of transmission; the presence of clusters and outbreaks, particularly those in health-care facilities; the number of people in hospital and in intensive care; deaths; immunization rates; vaccine availability; and the vulnerability of particular populations.

“In addition, we monitored trends throughout B.C., the rest of Canada and other jurisdictions, and watched closely the evolution of the SARS CoV-2 virus through whole genome sequencing.

“During the pandemic, public-health orders were lifted as the situation changed. These included restrictions on gatherings, mask mandates and other measures aimed at preventing transmission of respiratory illnesses and protecting those most at risk. We are now at the point where I am confident we can continue to manage COVID-19 without the need for the public-health emergency.

“The past four years have been extraordinary, and I know they have had a tremendous impact on all of us, our families and communities. I remain immensely grateful to the people of B.C. who have risen to the occasion and did their best to support each other throughout these most-challenging times with kindness and compassion.”