COVID-19 vaccine news for BC food processors and manufacturers

Last updated: 6 April 2021

Since mid-March, more than 20,000 essential workers at Alliance member companies have received their first immunizations. We have been pleased to partner with Vancouver Coastal Health and other health regions to support priority immunization for high-risk food processors and manufacturers with the supply designated for distribution in March. When the first doses of the AstraZeneca/SII (COVISHIELD) vaccines arrived in March, the health authorities identified began their outreach with farms, food processors (prioritizing larger processors and particularly meat, seafood, and poultry), and some manufacturing and hospitality or retail worksites with outbreaks or clusters. The makeup of the priority lists was based on the number, type, and size of high-risk locations in each health region.

That initial priority campaign ended at the end of March. The health authorities are waiting for direction from the province to determine when they will have the supply and capacity to resume priority immunization of production workers—and how the next phase of an immunization program might proceed. Watch this page for updates as we learn more.

Recent Updates

April 1: Updated COVID-19 Immunization FAQ for employers in the VCH region
March 31: Anyone aged 55–65 can make an appointment to get the AstraZeneca vaccine at one of more than 150 participating community pharmacies.
March 31: New FAQ from BCCDC on the AstraZeneca/SII (COVISHIELD) vaccine
March 30: Learn more about how B.C. will monitor vaccine uptake, safety and effectiveness (BCCDC)

Following the March 29 announcements from the provincial health officer, we are receiving updates from the health regions.

Vaccination Policy and Claims

See the current WorkSafeBC policy.
Register now for our April 8 webinar: Employment Law Q&A: Vaccines, People, and Policy.

Stay Vigilant

With cases on the rise and months to go in the Immunize BC plans, it’s critical to remain vigilant—even if your workplace has already had the opportunity to attend a vaccine clinic. Regularly review your COVID-19 Safety Plan with this checklist, and check back for new COVID-19 resources.

Vancouver Coastal Health Vaccination Program

April 1: Updated COVID-19 Immunization FAQ for employers in the VCH region

March 30 update:

We wish to thank all of the employers, employees and industry organizations that helped make our
Vancouver Coastal Health Employer/Worker Immunization Clinics a success these past few weeks. We had a tremendous response and were able to protect thousands of workers in industries where full use of personal protective equipment and barriers can be challenging, where outbreaks and clusters have occurred or are ongoing, and where workers live or work in congregate settings.
Based on direction from the provincial Ministry of Health, we will complete the program this week. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended a temporary suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines in Canadians under 55. This is a precautionary measure, as the vaccine may be associated with rare cases of blood clots, totalling less than 30 cases worldwide out of 20 million people who received the vaccine.
More than 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines have been administered in Canada; to date, no cases of the rare blood clotting adverse events have been reported. The cases identified in other jurisdictions have been primarily in women under the age of 55 years, although cases in men have also been reported; they have mostly occurred between four and 20 days after vaccination. If you received this vaccine within the past three weeks, and experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. It is a condition that we have a test for and is treatable.

prolonged headache

blurred vision

shortness of breath

chest pain

leg swelling

persistent abdominal pain

abnormal bruising or bleeding

Further information on signs and symptoms of this adverse event and treatment can be found on Health Canada’s website.

Confirmed employee appointments scheduled to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre and in Whistler this week will be honoured; eligible employees will receive a different Health Canada-approved vaccine. If your business or worksite did not have confirmed appointment times, we are not accepting new appointments as the program closes. If your staff missed their previously scheduled appointments, the clinic is not taking any drop-ins and they will be turned away. Please refer to the provincial COVID-19 Immunization plan and its timeline for information about upcoming opportunities for vaccination. We are currently in Phase 2 of the plan.

Vancouver Island Health Vaccination Program

Eligible recipients of VIHA’s initial supply of the COVISHIELD vaccine have already been contacted. We will share more information as we hear from them about additional supply and new direction from the Ministry of Health.

Interior Health Vaccination Program

Interior Health has completed its vaccine clinics with its initial, Ministry-approved list of large-scale food and beverage processors, farms, and vineyards. They are focusing on immunizations for Phase 2 healthcare workers and will continue to do so until they receive further direction from the Ministry of Health regarding smaller-scale food processors, manufacturers, and farms.

Fraser Health Vaccination Program

Fraser Health has completed immunizations for employees of its initial, Ministry-approved list of companies. Their current priorities include contact tracing and active outbreaks as well as the largest age-based immunization program in the province. At this time, they have asked that employers do not contact them directly regarding immunization unless you are replying to a specific inquiry from their team. Fraser Health staff will contact you based on the direction of the medical health office when supply and capacity allow.

We will provide additional information as we learn more about immunization plans for the rest of the sector. Please watch this page for updates.

Haven’t been contacted yet?

The health regions are adapting as best they can to the available supply, recommendations from the Ministry of Health, and balancing contact tracing and testing activities with proactive immunization as the number of cases in the province continues to climb. At best, they describe the situation as “fluid.” At this time, we cannot provide a clear timeline when the whole manufacturing and food processing sector can expect to be immunized. But things are developing quickly, and when supply does become available, you may need to act quickly.

If you have not been contacted yet by your health authority, you can start to prepare. Discuss the importance of immunization with your staff and building a list of employees who will participate so you can be ready with an accurate count.

This priority immunization program aims to build “community immunity” in this sector, where the nature of your work creates an increased risk of transmission. By choosing to be immunized, your workers can protect themselves and each other—and by extension, those around them.

The initial response to the immunization clinics so far has been overwhelmingly positive. We are looking forward, along with you, to life on the other side of the pandemic restrictions for all of us and a strong recovery for BC businesses.

Questions

Which vaccine will I be receiving?

Confirmed employee appointments scheduled to take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre and in Whistler, the week of March 28th will receive a Health Canada-approved vaccine. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended a temporary suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines in Canadians under 55.

Are there side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Clinical trials did not report serious side effects due to the vaccines. The people who received the vaccines in the clinical trials continue to be monitored for any longer-term side effects. Several processes are in place in Canada to monitor the vaccines’ safety as more people get immunized. Common reactions to the vaccines may include soreness, redness, swelling and itchiness where the vaccine was given. For some people, these reactions may show up eight or more days after getting the vaccine. Other reactions may include tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness, swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, nausea and vomiting. These reactions are mild and generally lasts one to two days. If you have concerns about any symptoms you develop after receiving the vaccine, speak with your health-care provider or call 8-1-1 for advice. It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine because about 1 in a million people can have a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. Should this reaction occur, the health-care providers on-site are prepared to treat it. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health-care provider. Based on direction from the provincial Ministry of Health, we will complete the program this week. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended a temporary suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines in Canadians under 55. This is a precautionary measure, as the vaccine may be associated with rare cases of blood clots, totaling less than 30 cases worldwide out of 20 million people who received the vaccine. More than 300,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines have been administered in Canada; to date, no cases of the rare blood clotting adverse events have been reported. The cases identified in other jurisdictions have been primarily in women under the age of 55 years, although cases in men have also been reported; they have mostly occurred between four and 20 days after vaccination. If you received this vaccine within the past three weeks, and experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. It is a condition that we have a test for and is treatable.

prolonged headache
blurred vision
shortness of breath
chest pain
leg swelling
persistent abdominal pain
abnormal bruising or bleeding

Further information on signs and symptoms of this adverse event and treatment can be found on Health Canada’s website.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended a temporary suspension of the use of the AstraZeneca/SII Covishield vaccines in Canadians under 55. This is a precautionary measure, as the vaccine may be associated with rare cases of blood clots, totaling less than 30 cases worldwide out of 20 million people who received the vaccine. Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health measure. Canada has a very thorough system to approve new vaccines for human use. Only vaccines that have been shown to be safe are approved. Once approved for use, all vaccines are closely monitored by public health officials and Health Canada for their safety. The COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Canada have been administered to millions of people around the world and have been shown to be both safe and effective.

Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. However, if you were exposed to the virus before you received your vaccine, you may be incubating the virus and not realize you have COVID-19 until after you are vaccinated. It takes two to three weeks to gain protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. This means if you contracted the virus before getting the vaccine, or within the two-week period following vaccination, you may still get sick from COVID-19. If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 after you’ve been vaccinated, use the B.C. self-assessment tool to determine if you need to be tested.

I already had COVID-19. Do I still need the shot?

If you had, or may have had, COVID-19 you should still get the vaccine. This is because you may not be immune to the virus that causes COVID-19 and could get infected and sick again.

How are the vaccines given?

The vaccines are given by injection as a series of two doses. It is important to get both doses of the vaccine for full protection. Second doses will be offered 16 weeks from the first dose based on provincial and national recommendations, including for those who have already received their first dose. Data from jurisdictions around the world shows one dose of vaccine provides a high level of protection. When it’s time to receive your second dose, you will be invited to receive it just as you were for your first. Please retain your paper record of immunization to bring back to the clinic with you at that time.

Why should I get vaccinated?

The vaccine will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives by preventing disease, especially for people most likely to have severe illness or die. If enough people get vaccinated, it makes it difficult for the disease to spread. This gives everyone protection, or what is known as community (herd) immunity. We hope that as more Canadians get vaccinated, we can return to activities that haven’t been possible during the pandemic.

Do I need to continue wearing a mask after I receive my vaccine?

Yes, public health orders, restrictions and guidelines remain in place for everyone, regardless if you have received the vaccine. After immunizations begin, it will still be important to wash your hands, adhere to physical distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and stay home when sick. We still don’t know for certain how long the protection lasts from COVID-19 vaccines or how well they work in preventing asymptomatic infection or reducing transmission of the virus. This means that all current enhanced safety measures and COVID-19 protocols will stay in place until a significant percentage of the population has been vaccinated for COVID-19 or until it is deemed safe to relax those rules.

Can I travel once I received the vaccine?

Federal and provincial health orders and guidelines remain in place for everyone, even if you have received the vaccine. Learn more about province-wide and federal restrictions.

If I am eligible to be vaccinated in Phase 2 but I am not a resident of B.C., can I still be vaccinated?

Yes, everyone living in B.C. will have the opportunity to be immunized, as long as the vaccine is recommended for them. That means that groups such as temporary foreign workers, international students, people who are not permanent residents of Canada, and people who recently moved to B.C. will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.