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New public health order requires BCCNM to record vaccination status of registrants


Mar 8, 2022

Update July 19, 2023: This order has been repealed. Read more »​​

A new Order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has been issued “to prevent or reduce the risk of the transmission of infection with SARS-CoV-2 by health professionals.”

The Health Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order requires BCCNM to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all its registrants by March 31, 2022. If requested by BCCNM, registrants must provide proof if ​you are vaccinated or have an exemption. It also requires the college to disclose to the PHO or medical health officer, on request, registrant information regarding vaccination status and place of work, either in aggregate or by individual. 

BCCNM is currently assessing the specific actions required under the Order. We will provide further information in the next few days. 

Until that time, we respectfully ask that you do not send us any inquiries or documentation related to the Order or your vaccination status. For more information, we encourage you to read the Order via the Government of BC website. Updates as they become available will be included in the designation-specific pages on our website: 

Do I have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to renew my registration for 2022-23?
No.
Does the Order require registrants to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
No. This Order requires BCCNM to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all registrants, but it does not impose a COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Please note that separate public health orders remain in place requiring COVID-19 vaccination for health professionals working in residential care, acute care and community care​ settings.
Which health professionals are covered by this Order?
The Order applies to all B.C. regulated health professionals across all registrant classes, including practising and non-practising licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and registered midwives.
Does the Order apply to BCCNM registrants who provide only telehealth/virtual care?
Yes. BCCNM is required to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all registrants.
As a registrant, will I need to take action to have my vaccination status recorded by BCCNM?
Unless we contact you for further information, you will not need to provide any information to BCCNM or the provincial government about your vaccination status. We will provide more details shortly.
What will BCCNM accept as a valid exemption to vaccination?
A valid exemption must be one issued by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Under what authority can the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) issue public health orders?
​The PHO has the legal authority to issue emergency preventive measures orders under the Public Health Act. Under the Act, all individuals and organizations are required to comply with the requirements set by the PHO.