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COVID-19

BC makes COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for all healthcare workers

Sep 13, 2021 | 4:33 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – If you work in healthcare you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as of October 26th.

BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the new order on Monday afternoon which will build on the previous order mandating vaccines for all workers in long-term care.

“Our hospitals are strained right now,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry. “Our emergency departments and our ICU’s are filling up, not just with patients who have COVID, most of whom have not been vaccinated, but it also means an impact on others in our community.”

All healthcare workers including students, physicians, residents, and others who work in healthcare settings will need to be vaccinated as a condition of their employment.

Dr. Henry spoke about surgeries being postponed and other services disrupted by the rising numbers of COVID-19 patients needing critical care.

Health officials announced the changes as the BC Vaccine Card goes into effect which requires all British Columbians to show proof of vaccination to enter non-essential businesses.

As of Monday 85.8% of British Columbians over the age of 12 had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Over the weekend, the province announced 1,984 new cases of COVID-19, including 294 in the Northern Health region.