Residents must self-report their immunizations status to the Provincial Workplace Health Contact Centre (PWHCC). You can self-report starting June 2, 2025. Please do not self-report prior, as your employment record will not have been created yet and you will be asked to self-report later.
Residents can self-report their immunization history to the PWHCC via one of the three methods below:
- Vaccination online self-reporting tool Health Care Worker Self-Reporting (healthcarebc.ca)
- By email – HH@WHCallCentre.ca
- By phone – 1-866-922-9464 select Option 1
Note: when reporting through the PWHCC Self-Reporting Tool, all residents should select Vancouver Coastal Health as their Health Authority employer, regardless of training location. Please review the step-by-step guide for completing the online self-reporting tool. If you choose to self-report via email, you will still be required to submit proof of your vaccination records.
If you have any questions about immunizations, please contact the PWHCC directly. You MUST be physically located in British Columbia (BC) to call the PWHCC. The phone number is toll free and usable in BC only (1-866-922-9464). Please have all previous immunization records ready before talking to the nursing team at the PWHCC.
After you complete self-reporting, your records will be reviewed by the nursing team at the PWHCC and uploaded into the VCH employee immunization record system. This process can take a few days.
Residents with outstanding immunizations will receive an email with information on how to access their Vaccine and Immunity Assessment Summary, along with our VCH staff immunization clinic schedule.
Vaccine Documentation Required for PWHCC
Measles/Mumps/Rubella
All residents born on or after 1957 require 2 documented doses of a measles containing vaccine, or laboratory evidence of immunity.
All residents born between 1957 and 1969 require 1 documented dose of a mumps containing vaccine. Proof of 2 documented doses of a mumps containing vaccine is required for those born after 1970.
All residents require 1 documented dose of a rubella containing vaccine, or laboratory evidence of immunity.
Hepatitis B
Completion of a 3 dose documented series of hepatitis B vaccine and laboratory confirmed immunity are accepted as proof of immunity.
Chicken Pox/Varicella
Two documented doses of varicella vaccine, or laboratory confirmed varicella, are accepted as proof of immunity. A self-report varicella is adequate only if the disease occurred before 2004.
Polio
An adult booster dose of the polio vaccine is recommended for health care workers who are at risk of exposure to feces.
Tetanus/Diphtheria
Booster doses are recommended every 10 years. One adult dose of a pertussis containing vaccine (Tdap) is also recommended.
COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 immunization is recommended for health care workers. Staying up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine annually during each respiratory illness season is recommended for immunity.
Note: If residents received the COVID-19 vaccine outside of BC, they need to report their COVID-19 vaccination at immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca
TB Skin Testing
Baseline TB skin testing is not required to work at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) sites. However, in accordance with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) policy, baseline TB skin testing is required to work at VIHA sites.
Options for TB skin testing for medical residents who will be working at VIHA sites:
- Residents may attend a VCH immunization clinic for their TB skin test starting on June 9, 2025.
- TB skin testing can be completed by the VIHA employee immunization team after your arrival on the Island. To obtain the VIHA clinic schedule, please contact the VCH Field Services Nursing team at safetyandpreventionfsn@vch.ca in June 2025.
