Dear staff, faculty and students,
As you are likely aware, the Provincial Health Officer has ordered mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all health care workers in hospital and community settings, which comes into effect on October 26.
The recently published Provincial Health Order on Hospital and Community (Health Care and Other Services) COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures – October 21, 2021 (“the Order“), applies to UBC faculty, staff, and students who are in health care locations for training or research purposes.
We have been advised that the Order will be further revised and likely will also include all staff and faculty who are in care locations for administrative purposes. A care location is defined very broadly (please review the Order) and includes inside and outside places in which health care or services are provided.
In accordance with the Order, UBC staff, faculty and students must either be:
- Vaccinated (means a person who is at least 7 days post-receipt of the full series of a World Health Organization approved vaccine(s) against SARS CoV-2); or
- Have applied to the PHO for a medical exemption; or
- Receive Dose 1 by no later than October 25, 2021 and
- Ensure 7 days have passed before entering a care facility; and
- Confirm plans to receive Dose 2 between 28-35 days after receipt of Dose 1; and
- Continue to follow preventive measures (wearing a medical mask at work except if consuming food or a beverage), until 7 days past receipt of Dose 2 of vaccine.
We are anticipating further revisions to the Order which will require that we as the employer will be required to request, collect and record proof of vaccination, or an exemption, from each employee and student for whom this applies. We expect to use the https://bc.thrive.health to meet that requirement.
If you have not already done so, please ensure that you declare your vaccination status and upload your proof of vaccination immediately at https://rapidtesting.covid19.ubc.ca/.
It is also recommended that if you are attending a care facility as an employee or student that you carry your BC Vaccine card with you as you may be asked to produce it, and will be denied entry by the facility if unable to provide proof of vaccination.
If you have questions related to this or whether it applies to you, please discuss with your department head, director/manager or educational lead.
Thank you for your help as we work to protect the health and well-being of our community.
Sincerely,
Dermot Kelleher, MB, MD, FRCP, FRCPI, FMedSci, FCAHS, FRCPC, AGAF
Professor, Department of Medicine
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice-President, Health
The University of British Columbia