In an Information Bulletin issued September 15, 2022, BC’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has advised that she has decided to continue not requiring regulated health care professionals in private practice to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at this time. This decision was made “given the high rates of vaccination in these professions, and the current state of the pandemic.”
For all workers in the public health-care system – including those working in residential care, acute care, and community care settings – PHO orders regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements remain in place. Updates have been made to these PHO orders to ensure alignment and consistency. Please refer to:
- Hospital and Community (Health Care and Other Services) COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures – September 12, 2022 (PDF)
- Residential Care COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures – September 12, 2022 (PDF)
Health profession regulatory colleges, including CSHBC, continue to be legally required to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of their registrants under the Health Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information – June 10, 2022 (PDF) order. CSHBC must collect this information from all Registered Audiologists (RADs), Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIPs), and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (RSLPs), regardless of work setting.
The information bulletin encourages all health professionals – and all British Columbians – to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, including getting a fall booster.
PHO guidance for mask use and infection prevention and control for health professionals and their patients/clients remains unchanged. Registrants should review Mask Use and Infection Prevention & Control Guidance for Health Professionals – April 1, 2022 (PDF) for details and refer to resources from sources such as the BC Centre for Disease Control and WorkSafeBC to determine how to apply these recommendations to their own practice setting.