Public service employees in B.C. must be vaccinated against COVID-19

• 30,000 govt. employees must get the jab
• Deadline is Nov.22
• Health minister says it shows 'dedication and commitment' to support pandemic efforts

An estimated 30,000 government employees in British Columbia will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This, as senior health officials implored those who have yet to be vaccinated to do so.

The BC Public Service Agency said Tuesday, Oct. 5, the vaccination requirement is part of an effort to increase vaccination rates throughout the province.

It has set Nov. 22 as a deadline for workers in core government services or ministries to show proof of vaccination using the BC Vaccine card.

The service said that allows enough time for people who have not yet received both doses of a vaccine to comply with the requirement.

Public service ‘dedication and commitment’

In a media conference later, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the BC Public Service Agency “… is held to the highest example, and is there to serve the people of B.C.

“This important step reflects that duty… it shows the dedication and commitment to support the provincial effort to protect people and get through the pandemic together.”

The agency said details about accommodations that will be made for the “few people” who are unable to be vaccinated are expected to be announced by early next month.

The service said more than 80 per cent of eligible B.C. residents have now been fully vaccinated.

All health-care workers in B.C. must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 26 as a condition of their employment.

Making Thanksgiving ‘a happy occurrence’

Speaking at the same media conference as Dix, B.C.’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said with Thanksgiving Weekend coming up it’s important to keep the group of family and friends small.

“In particular, if you have older family members, or anyone who is immunocompromised is planning to attend, make sure everybody who is there is fully vaccinated.

“We want to make sure these gatherings are a happy occurrence, and not a cause for virus transmission and illness in the coming weeks,” Henry said, noting the delta variant of COVID-19 is not only ‘way more transmissible’ but is causing more severe illness and hospitalizations in younger people.

With files from The Canadian Press