As stated earlier this week, a new Order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) — the Health Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order — requires the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC) to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all of its registrants by March 31, 2022. On request by CSHBC, registrants must provide proof of vaccination or proof of an exemption if they have it.
This Order does not impose a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Please note that separate public health orders remain in place requiring COVID-19 vaccination for health professionals working in residential care, acute care and community care settings.
Next steps for registrants
CSHBC has provided registrant information to the Ministry of Health (MOH) for matching against the Provincial Immunization Registry. The MOH is in the process of sharing this data matching with the College. We anticipate that most vaccinated registrants will be easily verified in the Provincial Immunization Registry.
If a registrant’s vaccination status is not confirmed via the data exchange process, we will contact the registrant by email soon with details of the information required and how to submit it. We ask all registrants to check their email frequently this month to determine if we require further information from them.
For members of the public
If you are a member of the public with questions about the public health Order, please contact PHO/MOH Patient Client Relations:
Tel: 250.952.1891
Toll-free within BC: 1.833.552.1891
Email: [email protected]
Website: Ministry of Health contacts
Questions & Answers about the Provincial Health Officer’s Order
Q: Which health professionals are covered by this Order?
The Order applies to all BC regulated health professionals across all registration categories, including Registered Audiologists (RAUDs), Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIPs), and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (RSLPs).
Q: Does the Order apply to College registrants who provide only telehealth/virtual?
Yes. CSHBC is required to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all registrants.
Q: As a registrant, will I need to take action to have my vaccination status recorded by the College?
Unless you are contacted by the College for further information, you do not need to provide any information to CSHBC or the provincial government about your vaccination status.
Q: What will the College accept as a valid exemption to vaccination?
A valid exemption must be one issued by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Q: Under what authority can the PHO issue public health orders?
The PHO has the legal authority to issue emergency preventive measures orders under the Public Health Act. Under the Act, all individuals and organizations are required to comply with the requirements set by the PHO.