B.C. mandates COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care workers

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – B.C.’s health minister and top doctor are putting their feet down against healthcare workers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

Long-term care and assisted living workers across the province will be mandated to get immunized against the virus. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the decision was made due to “disruptive” outbreaks linked to the Delta variant and non-vaccinated people.

“People in long term care of living in long-term care, in particular, are vulnerable, and especially vulnerable to COVID-19,” Dix said.

“This is a necessary step to take, to protect residents, and to protect staff and long-term care.”

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says transmission of COVID-19 in B.C. is “of particular concern” for seniors in care homes.

“We have the introduction of new variants into the province, including the Delta variant. We’ve seen the impact of that in long-term care, where we now have eight outbreaks, introduced by unvaccinated people,” she said.

The vaccination mandate applies to all private and public facilities in B.C., and workers are required to comply by Oct. 12. Volunteers at those facilities are also required to be vaccinated.

“We understand there are reasons why a small percentage of people may be unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons. And in those rare exceptions public health, we’ll be working with those individuals [and] the employers,” Henry said.

Re: visitors access to LTC if vaccination must be mandatory, Dix suggests that’s still being ironed out, but we want everyone to get vaccinated —in particular with long-term care.

Henry did not have a chance to respond. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) August 12, 2021

Dix was asked whether the vaccination mandate could be extended to other settings, such as hospitals or workplaces that are considered essential services, such as grocery stores.

“There are other measures that can be considered and we’re looking at all measures to protect people and adjusting what we’re doing,” he said.

“We have … a highly vaccinated population in B.C., and that’s great. We need those numbers to be higher, and we’re continuing to work to see that they will be. And if other measures are required, I know that consideration is made every day.”

Re: will visitors be required to keep wearing masks, Dix says yes and key concern now is people under age 50 NOT getting vaccinated.
He adds most healthcare workers are being responsible, but more work needs to be done. #bcpoli @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) August 12, 2021

“I can tell you, as someone who visits in long-term care, that what is tremendously effective when we declare an outbreak in long-term care … is the ability for people to go in and support their loved ones,” Dix said. “So, we want everybody to get vaccinated, particularly for people in long-term care.”

He reiterated that it’s not mandatory for anyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19, “but there are things that you may not be able to do if you’re not vaccinated. That’s something that’s, I think, obvious and something that we’re reflecting on now.”

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The association that represents long-term care workers in B.C. is applauding the mandate, adding it’s confident families with loved ones in care will also be pleased.

“Ensuring that everyone who works with seniors living in B.C.’s long-term care and assisted living homes is vaccinated against COVID-19 is critical to the safety and wellbeing of both residents and staff,” said BC Care Providers Association CEO and former BC Liberal Health Minister Terry Lake.

He says staff working in long-term care are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

On Thursday, Henry was asked whether she is considering COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandatory for people attending B.C. post-secondary institutions. She says there are “active discussions” around the role of masks and immunizations at colleges and universities.

“We’ll have more to say about that next week,” she said.