PHO provides updates on COVID-19 orders affecting regulated health professionals

PHO provides updates on COVID-19 orders affecting regulated health professionals

In an Information Bulletin issued September 15, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has advised that she has decided to continue not requiring health care professionals in private practice to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 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 requiring COVID-19 vaccination (or medical exemption) remain in place. Updates have been made to these PHO orders to ensure alignment and consistency. Please refer to:

Health profession regulatory colleges 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. Colleges must collect this information from all registrants, regardless of work setting.

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.