Provincial Health Officer announces order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals

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BC Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry announced February 9, 2022, that she will issue a public health order next week requiring full COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals, including Optometrists.

The new order will broaden a previous PHO order originally dated October 14, 2021, which mandated COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers working in acute, long-term, and community care health settings.

According to a BC Government news release, under the upcoming order, regulated health professionals who are vaccinated with one dose before March 24, 2022 may continue to work as long as they receive a second dose 28-35 days after their first dose.
The College has not yet been provided with the proposed order and therefore does not have specific information about what role is to be played by the College and other health regulatory colleges. After the order is released, the College will review it, consult with the Ministry of Health and other BC health regulators, and provide registrants with additional information.

Under the Public Health Act, the Provincial Health Officer has the authority to issue public health orders, including vaccination mandates, to protect the public.

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