COVID-19 vaccine news for BC food processors and manufacturers
Lisa Thibault2021-04-06T14:16:38-07:00Last 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
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
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.
- prolonged headache
- blurred vision
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- leg swelling
- persistent abdominal pain
- abnormal bruising or bleeding