Friday December 6, 2019 ~ BC
~ West Shore Voice NewsT
Today the BC Provincial Health Officer announced changes to the provincial influenza prevention policy, having to do with nurses being required to be immunized and to always wear masks on the job.
The change means that employers will not discipline employees for not wearing masks.
“There is still an expectation that health-care providers will be immunized or use masks appropriately, but we will rely on the professionalism of all health-care workers to take appropriate measures to protect themselves and the patients we care for from influenza,” said Dr Bonnie Henry, BC Provincial Health Officer in a news release today.
“Reporting of vaccination status remains mandatory. Non-compliance in reporting can lead to discipline,” she said.
“If this collaborative approach does not sufficiently achieve the objectives of the policy, which are aimed at protecting patients and health-care workers, the disciplinary policy may be reintroduced,” it was stated in the release.
Visitors to hospitals and care homes are required to wear a mask during flu season if they have not been immunized.