British Columbia is rescinding its policy requiring provincial officials to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by announcing a spring booster program that will apply to the elderly and vulnerable.
Provincial fitness officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the upcoming recall circular will focus on highs at risk of serious illness.
This includes other people who are at least 80 years old, Aboriginal people who are at least 70 years old, and long-term care residents.
People who are at least 18 and whose immunity is severely compromised are also advised to get a retirement on the campaign, which Henry says will begin “for the most part” in April.
Henry, speaking at a briefing with Health Minister Adrian Dix, said other people over 60 and other indigenous people 50 and older who have not had COVID-19 deserve to be a booster.
Henry encouraged anyone who doesn’t fall into the categories she described but still needs a refresher to discuss the issue with her doctor or pharmacist if it’s worth it. She says she hopes to introduce reinforcements for everyone in B. C. In the fallbefore the start of the next respiratory disease season, but it is too early to say whether it will become an annual event.
The province also announced that, effective April 3, B. C. They will no longer be required to provide evidence of vaccination.
The Finance Ministry said in a statement that the decision to cancel the policy was made “based on the peak vaccination among public service workers and the existing state of the pandemic. “
It indicates that more than 98% of workers have met the requirement.
He says the end of the policy means “a small number” of workers on administrative leave for noncompliance will have the opportunity to return to work.
The government says others can still get vaccinated if they work in settings under orders from provincial fitness personnel or other vaccination requirements, and vaccination mandates remain in place in “higher risk” settings, such as fitness centers.
“The vaccination requirement for public service workers, introduced in November 2021, has always been designed as a transitional measure to help protect workers and others they serve,” he said.
It adds that vaccination “remains the most productive ion against severe COVID-19-related illness for individuals, adding children and youth, and has helped British Columbia’s formula and physical care economy. “
Stephanie Smith, president of the B. C. General Employees Union, says the union has called for a meeting with the B. C. Public Utilities Agency. to talk about substitution and for all members to get a “fair deal” under the now-cancelled policy.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, BCGEU members have demanded an explanation for how employers decide us and our professional lives,” he said in a statement. “Our union has several questions about the effect of this update on our members. . “
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