BC Care Providers Association and EngAge BC have launched a “snap survey” to capture the unintended health human resource implications of the government’s new mandatory vaccination order for B.C. seniors’ care sector.
On August 12, 2021, the government of British Columbia announced it will make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all workers employed in B.C.’s long-term care and assisted living sectors. With rare medical and religious exceptions, all workers will have to become “double-vaccinated” against SARS-CoV-2 before the October 12, 2021, implementation deadline.
While BCCPA applauds the mandatory vaccination policy—which is necessary to protect vulnerable older adults living in care—the Association also acknowledges that the policy will have unintended consequences for the continuing care workforce. Policies and approaches to promote retention of the care workforce are urgently required.
Care providers are invited to report on the workforce impacts of mandatory vaccination policies in the short survey, and also to identify potential retention policies and supports.
Deadline to complete the survey is Monday, September 6, 2021.
