On May 10, 2022, BC’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry released aggregate data on the COVID-19 vaccination status of regulated health professionals in the province.

Dr. Henry said that among practicing regulated health professionals, 93.9% have completed at least the two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or have a medical exemption obtained from the PHO, as of April 25, 2022.

The PHO also published data on COVID-19 vaccination status for registrants with 17 of BC’s 18 health profession regulatory colleges. According to the data, as of April 25, 2022, 87.9% of registered massage therapists are vaccinated (received a minimum of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine) or have a medical exemption.

The data does not include reporting from the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, which needs more time to collect and verify data given the large number of registrants in that college.

On March 7, 2022, the PHO issued an Order that required all BC health regulatory colleges to record the COVID-19 vaccination status of all its registrants by March 31, 2022. The Order also requires each College to disclose to the PHO or medical health officer, on request, registrant information regarding vaccination status, either in aggregate or by individual. The PHO subsequently clarified that they would publish aggregate data only. Any questions about the publication of the aggregated data should be directed either to the Ministry of Health or to the PHO.

Dr. Henry said the PHO will continue to work with BC health regulatory colleges to explore the creation of standards that would allow the public to make informed decisions when seeking treatment.

CMTBC will continue to inform RMTs about any further initiatives or policy directions that are communicated to the colleges by the PHO.