Last Friday, BC's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an order to end the COVID-19 public health emergency that was declared on March 17, 2020.
With this announcement, the BC Ministry of Health issued a new mandatory requirement that all clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers in public healthcare facilities report their immunization for COVID-19, influenza and other critical vaccine preventable diseases.
As of July 26, 2024, healthcare workers must report their vaccination status for:
They must also report whether they have been vaccinated or have previously contracted:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Hepatitis B
- Whooping cough (pertussis)
- Chicken Pox (Varicella)
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has a distinct First Nations governance structure; as such, we are reviewing the science-based evidence for this new reporting requirement and will provide an update on our next steps shortly.
We recognize that First Nations communities will exercise their right to self-determination and make their own decisions and we will continue to respect those decisions. That said, we encourage everyone to be up to date on all vaccinations – not just for COVID-19, but against other vaccine-preventable diseases.
We also recognize the profound and numerous ways the COVID-19 pandemic has affected, and continues to affect, First Nations in BC. Communities came together during the pandemic to keep one another safe, and continue to show unwavering dedication to support health, wellness and healing post-pandemic.
