City announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy

The City of Vancouver announced today that all City staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 6, 2021.

This new policy is a further step toward limiting the impacts of the virus on our community and aligns with the recommendation from the provincial health officer for large employers to implement vaccine mandates.

Employees who do not comply with the requirements of the new policy will not be permitted in the workplace.

The City will accommodate those employees who require an exemption from the policy on the basis of a protected legal ground, such as for medical or other grounds protected under the BC Human Rights Code. The full details of the policy are being finalized.

Public health has consistently reported that a higher percentage of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are among those who are unvaccinated. Vaccines provide a high level of protection against COVID-19 and related variants. 

Quotes

City Manager Paul Mochrie

“Throughout the pandemic, the City has focused on the health and safety of its staff, local residents and businesses,” said City Manager Paul Mochrie. “We continue to follow direction from public health in our workplaces, and this mandatory vaccination policy will help provide a further level of protection against this virus for City staff and the public we serve.”