On July 26, 2024, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued an order to end the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related orders, saying “While COVID-19 is not gone, we now have high levels of protection in the health-care system and in communities throughout B.C.”
Infection Prevention and Control in the Oral Health Context
In light of this announcement, oral health professionals are advised that BCCOHP guidance specific to infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic no longer applies. Oral health professionals can be confident in the robust existing standards for infection prevention and control, and should refer to BCCOHP’s website for standards and guidance specific to their area of practice.
As always, BCCOHP’s professional practice team is available to answer questions related to our standards and guidance. Email practice@oralhealthbc.ca with any questions.
Vaccine registry for health care workers in public facilities
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the end of the COVID-19 public-health emergency also ends the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in health-care settings, announcing a new vaccine registry. There is no action required for oral health professionals at this time. Moving forward, the Ministry will be phasing in a requirement for health care workers in public health-care facilities (excepting those employed by First Nations Health Authority) to report vaccination status for COVID-19 and other critical vaccine preventable diseases through the provincial registry. BCCOHP is not affiliated with this vaccine registry. Please direct questions to the Ministry of Health.