Over 98 per cent of B.C. public servants meeting vaccination standards

A vast majority of B.C.’s public servants are fully or partially protected against COVID-19.

The province says more than 98 per cent of people working for the government have met the Nov. 22 proof of vaccination policy requirement. The policy is intended to ensure all direct government employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

The B.C. Public Service Agency says of the 38,420 employees, 97 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses.

It’s noted that 1.15 per cent of employees, or 439 individuals, are partially vaccinated and have 35 days from the date of their first dose to get the second jab.

Only 274 employees, or 0.72 per cent of B.C.’s public servants, have requested an accommodation based on a medical condition or other protected grounds. These requests are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The remaining 1.13 per cent, or 432 employees, are unvaccinated or declined to disclose their vaccination status.

This policy applies to all B.C. Public Service employees, including employees of any board, commission, agency or organization to which the Public Service Act applies.

Employees that are unvaccinated or who refuse to disclose their status, as well as partially vaccinated individuals who do not receive their second dose by the 35 day mark, will be placed on unpaid leave for three months. If that leave expires and the employee still cannot provide proof of full vaccination, they may be terminated.

The province has also updated the B.C. public service occupational safety and health standards to require contractors and others assessing employee-only areas of indoor public service facilities to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 13, 2021. This policy will not apply to members of the public assessing government services.

The province says this policy is intended to ensure workplaces and employees are safe and protected against COVID-19. It’s secondary purpose is to ensure the province’s vaccination rates continue to climb.

The first dose rate for all eligible British Columbians aged 12 and over as of time of publication was 91.1 per cent, while the second dose rate was 87.8 per cent.