B.C. introducing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all health-care workers

All health-care workers and volunteers will soon have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in British Columbia as the provincial government expands its immunization program.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says additional pandemic measures are needed to fight the spread of COVID-19.

She says the vaccine mandate will take effect Oct. 26 and it will be a condition of employment for all workers, physicians, contractors and volunteers in health facilities.

It also applies to people who work in home and community care locations, including client homes.

The province is also giving third vaccine doses to severely immunocompromised individuals.

Henry says about 15,000 British Columbians who are severely immunocompromised will receive a third dose in accordance with guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

They include those who've received an organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant, and Henry says experts are reviewing data to better understand the risks to another 120,000 people who are moderately immunocompromised.