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By Liam Verster

Five-Point Road Map

Guidelines created for implementing vaccine requirements at B.C. schools

Oct 22, 2021 | 5:30 PM

VICTORIA, B.C. — A five-point plan has been released to help guide school authorities in British Columbia that wish to implement a vaccination requirement for teachers and staff.

An advisory group consisting of members of the Ministry of Education, B.C. School Trustees Association, B.C. Teachers’ Federation, CUPE, First Nations Education Steering Committee, Federation of Independent Schools Association, and school district leadership associations have created the road map for school boards to follow.

The policy guideline, which was released on Friday, states that B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) data showed COVID-19 infection in children age five to 11 spiked in the first two weeks of the school year. It also notes BCCDC data shows unvaccinated individuals are nine times more likely to contract COVID-19, and 40 times more likely to be hospitalized or die due to the virus. Because of these factors, the advisory committee has released guidelines for creating a policy that would better protect the staff and students in B.C.’s schools.

The five-point road map to creating a vaccination policy involves:

Gather data and evidence in alignment with privacy rules: This involves gathering preliminary data on vaccination numbers through voluntary disclosure or public health data on vaccinated adults in the region. That data should be collected and assessed, and it’s findings then shared so they can be used when considering implementing a vaccination policy.

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Confirm alignment with legal advice, public health guidance and orders: Ensure vaccine policy is informed by legal advice, including assessing implications of Charter rights, human right and existing employment and labour case law, including liability and indemnification. Medical Health Officer and local health authorities should be consulted for advice related to the effectiveness of vaccine policies.

Consult with employee groups and First Nations and engage community: Engage in consultation and engagement with employee groups and Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees. First Nations should also be consulted regarding the broader policy impacts, and engagement with Parent Advisory Committees and the broader community should be held as well.

Decide whether to create a proof of vaccination policy and announce decision: Communicate whether to implement a COVID Vaccination Policy and what data and information led to that decision. If the decision is made to implement a new regulation, then the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA)’s provincial safety procedure should be adopted and unvaccinated staff should be encouraged to get their shots.

Implement operational plan: Confirm a consistent process or tool for assessing proof of vaccination status, ensure that it is implemented and enforced effectively, and ensure the negative impacts of the learning environment is minimized.

While school boards and authorities have to make the decision whether or not to move forward with implementing and enforcing any COVID-19 vaccination policies, the Ministry of Education does note it will work with school boards to ensure the tools, resources and information needed to support the process is readily available.

“From the beginning of the pandemic we have worked together to keep students safely learning in-class, to encourage all eligible British Columbians to get vaccinated and to make sure school safety plans are robust and supported,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education.

“With guidelines now available, trustees can make decisions around vaccination policies that work best for their communities as we work together to continue to support a culture of vaccination in our schools.”

These guidelines build on the existing K-12 health and safety measures in schools, including daily health checks, hand washing, staying home when sick, masks for all students and staff and improved ventilation systems.