Deadline passes for B.C. health workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19

• Health Minister Adrian Dix calls it a “solemn day” for healthcare system
• Dix hopeful many will chose to get vaccinated and “get back to work”

The deadline for British Columbia health-care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is today, Oct.26.

The provincial health officer’s order covers doctors, nurses, students, residents, contractors, volunteers, and all other health-care professionals.

Premier John Horgan said he’s hopeful the small number of workers who are resistant to getting the jab will find the information they need to get their shots.

Those who don’t have their first dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by the deadline can’t work unless they have a recognized exemption.

Healthcare job terminations a ‘solemn thing’

At a media conference late Tuesday, B.C.’s health minister Adrian Dix called the termination of certain healthcare workers “solemn.”

Long term healthcare workers not vaccinated by Oct.12 were initially given two weeks unpaid leave, but as of Oct.26, have had their employment terminated.

The broader vaccine mandate deadline for all other healthcare workers is also today.

“It’s a very solemn thing because all the people who work in our healthcare system, I think, work with great commitment,” he said. “This is a very strong action needed in a pandemic to protect healthcare workers, other healthcare workers, other healthcare professionals, patients and the public.”

But he added it was a “very solemn thing” for people who have contributed to the care of others to be facing job loss.

“We’re certainly hopeful that many of them will chose to get vaccinated and get back to work,” he said.

I.H. has highest percentage of unvaccinated healthcare workers

Dix said 1,369 healthcare employees in Interior Health had not had the vaccine as per today’s deadline. At seven per cent, that is the highest figure among all health authorities in the province. The total count of unvaccinated employees across B.C. is 4,090.

The percentage is five – or 376 employees - in Northern Health, the second highest health region for unvaccinated healthcare staff.

The provincial health order says unvaccinated workers who get their first shot before Nov. 15 can resume working seven days after the first dose, but they must wear personal protective equipment and take other precautions until they get their second shot.

The Health Ministry says 94 per cent of B.C. health workers were fully vaccinated as of Oct. 24, three per cent were unvaccinated and two per cent had one dose.

Overall, B.C. has reached an 89.6 per cent vaccination rate for first shots among eligible residents aged 12 and up and 84.4 per cent have received their second dose.

With files from The Canadian Press