Change to influenza prevention policy: What it means for physicians

The Provincial Influenza Prevention Policy requires that medical staff and other health care providers and contractors in publicly-funded facilities are either immunized or wear a mask when in patient care areas during the flu season. Under the policy introduced in 2012, failure to do this could result in disciplinary action.

In December 2019, the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) announced that BC’s health authorities are suspending the disciplinary aspect of the policy in favour of a cooperative and collaborative approach.

What this means for physicians

Health authorities will continue to require that physicians and others working in publicly funded facilities are immunized or wear masks in patient care areas during flu season. But they will not be disciplined for failure to do so. 

It is important to note that:

• Mandatory reporting of vaccination status is still required – failure to report may still lead to disciplinary action.
• Outbreak policies and protocols remain in effect.

Doctors of BC will continue to promote the importance of vaccination. 

Why the original policy was introduced

The provincial government first introduced the policy in an effort to reduce the spread of influenza in publicly-funded facilities.
It noted that influenza causes the most deaths among vaccine-preventable diseases. Each year in Canada approximately 3,500 people die from the flu and its complications. Hospitalized patients and seniors in residential care are usually more vulnerable than healthy adults.

If you would like more information

For more information, search for your health authority’s revised policy document and related information on their websites.

Do you have a comment or question for us? Email View Email Addresscommunications@doctorsofbc.ca.