This information was last updated for new residents starting July 1, 2024 and will be updated again in early 2025 with revised information.
Residents must self-report their immunizations status to the Provincial Workplace Health Contact Centre (WHCC) before training. You can self report starting June 3, 2024. 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 WHCC 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
If you have any questions about immunizations, please contact the Workplace Health Call Centre directly. You MUST be physically located in British Columbia (BC) to call the WHCC. 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 Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) at the WHCC.
For a step-by-step guide see Self-reporting Tool Guide for New Employees.
Note: when reporting through the WHCC Self-Reporting Tool, all residents should select Vancouver Coastal Health as their Health Authority employer, regardless of training location.
After completion of self-reporting, your records will be reviewed by the OHN at the WHCC. Residents with any outstanding immunizations will receive an email, along with our VCH staff immunization clinic schedule.
Vaccine Documentation Required for WHCC
This information was last updated for new residents starting July 1, 2024 and will be updated again in early 2025 with revised information. Contact WHCC for questions related to vaccination reporting.
Hepatitis B
Completion of a 3 dose documented series of hepatitis B vaccine and laboratory confirmed immunity are accepted as proof of immunity.
Measles/Mumps/Rubella
All residents born on or after 1957 require 2 documented doses of measles containing vaccine, or laboratory evidence of immunity.
All residents born between 1957 and 1969 require 1 documented dose of mumps containing vaccine. Proof of 2 documented doses of mumps containing vaccine is required if born after 1970.
All residents require 1 documented rubella containing vaccine, or laboratory evidence 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
Healthcare workers are recommended to receive the adult booster dose of the polio vaccine.
Tetanus/Diphtheria
Booster doses are recommended every 10 years. One adult dose of Pertussis containing vaccine (Tdap) is also recommended.
COVID Vaccines
As per the Public Health Orders, all residents must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have received a single dose of the most recent, updated COVID 19 vaccine.
Note: If residents received the COVID 19 vaccine outside of BC, they need to report your COVID 19 vaccine to the Provincial Immunization Registry.
Baseline TB screening
All new medical residents will be screened for TB. A documented TB skin test within 6 months of hire date is acceptable. For residents with documentation of a positive TB skin test and a normal chest x-ray within 6 months of hire date, screening is also acceptable.
* TB skin tests are done free at Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) or Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) hospitals. Residents can receive their free TB skin test at our VCH staff immunization clinics for new medical residents after being assessed by the Provincial Workplace Health Call Centre. The booking link for the clinics will be open for bookings starting June 3. Residents who are located in rural areas and are therefore unable to attend a VCH site clinic should contact a Field Service Nurse at safetyandpreventionfsn@vch.ca to discuss their options. Reimbursement for TB skin tests obtained outside of the free VCH site clinics must be pre-approved by a Field Service Nurse at the email address provided above.
