Your questions answered
Below are a list of questions and answers to help you understand your role in helping prevent the spread of illness on our campuses and learning sites.
On this page:
COVID-19 vaccines
- Where can I find information about BC’s provincial vaccination program?
- Who can get vaccinated in Canada?
- Will international students be able to get vaccinated in Canada?
- Are vaccines mandatory for students, faculty or staff to be on campus?
- Are COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for UBC faculty and staff based in health settings?
- What do we know about the efficacy of current vaccines to protect against the different COVID-19 variants?
- What is the BC Vaccine Card?
Health guidance
- What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
- Should I get tested for COVID-19?
- Where can I get a rapid antigen test kit?
- What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
- What is the notification process for confirmed cases of COVID-19?
- What can I do to protect myself from the flu?
Safety planning
COVID-19 vaccines
- Where can I find information about BC’s provincial vaccination program?
Where can I find information about BC’s provincial vaccination program?
You can learn more about BC’s provincial vaccination program at https://immunizebc.ca/. You can also find out how you can get your booster dose.
- Who can get vaccinated in Canada?
Who can get vaccinated in Canada?
All people in BC, including international students, can be vaccinated for free, regardless of length of stay or status, even if they will be here for only one dose (first or second). Everyone who is vaccinated in BC will receive a vaccination record, which they can present in BC or elsewhere to show what vaccine they received and when. Find out more.
- Will international students be able to get vaccinated in Canada?
Will international students be able to get vaccinated in Canada?
Yes, international students who haven’t been vaccinated upon arrival will also have access to the BC immunization program.
- Are vaccines mandatory for students, faculty or staff to be on campus?
Are vaccines mandatory for students, faculty or staff to be on campus?
COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory to attend campus or classes. However, UBC strongly encourages members of the community to get vaccinated. You can learn more at https://immunizebc.ca.
Please note, a Vancouver Coastal Health COVID-19 booster clinic is available at UBC Vancouver. Learn more.
- Are COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for UBC faculty and staff based in health settings?
Are COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for UBC faculty and staff based in health settings?
Yes. According to an updated Public Health Order, workers in certain health care settings must be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to work in a designated facility. This includes hospital sites, clinics, and any other place where care is provided. For hospital owned buildings, that means the whole building is covered by the Order. For UBC owned buildings, only the clinic area itself is covered, not the whole building.
For those who are fully vaccinated, no further action is required. For those who are only partially vaccinated, or have not been vaccinated, their access to the workplace will be limited by their vaccination status, which may result in being put on unpaid leave. Find out more here. - What do we know about the efficacy of current vaccines to protect against the different COVID-19 variants?
What do we know about the efficacy of current vaccines to protect against the different COVID-19 variants?
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, the vaccines offered in BC are expected to protect people against the different COVID-19 variants. Getting vaccinated also decreases the risk of having severe COVID-19 disease or dying from it, prevents new variants from arising, and helps control the spread of COVID-19. Learn more.
- What is the BC Vaccine Card?
What is the BC Vaccine Card?
The BC Provincial Government announced the introduction of the BC Vaccine Card in September 2021. The order required proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access a range of activities, including indoor ticketed sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, fitness centres, casinos and indoor organized events, such as conferences and weddings. In April 2022, the BC Provincial Government announced that provincial proof of vaccination requirement had been lifted.
Health guidance
- What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
What precautions can I take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections?
The advice from health agencies is:
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water.
- If a sink is not available, 60-90% alcohol-based hand rubs (hand sanitizer) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based disposable hand wipe to remove the dirt and then use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Do not touch your eyes/nose/mouth with unwashed hands.
- When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow, and then wash your hands.
- Stay home when you are ill to avoid spreading the illness to others.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick with an infection.
- If you are ill, have symptoms of flu like a fever or cough, you should stay home.
- What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Information on the prevention, transmission, symptoms, and treatment of COVID-19 can be found at the BC Centre for Disease Control website under Symptoms.
- What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
What is self-isolation? Do I need to self-isolate?
When it comes to self-monitoring and self-isolating, we recommend following advice of local health authorities. Visit the Self-Isolation section on the BC Centre for Disease Control website for the most up to date information on this subject.
- Should I get tested for COVID-19?
Should I get tested for COVID-19?
The BC Ministry of Health has developed a self-assessment tool, to help determine whether further assessment or testing for COVID-19 is recommended.
- Where can I get a rapid antigen test kit?
Where can I get a rapid antigen test kit?
Rapid antigen test kits are available at community pharmacies, free of charge to eligible British Columbians. Find out more
- What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
What should I do if someone I know shows symptoms of COVID-19?
We recommend that you visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website for the most up to date information about what to do if you’re sick. The site includes a link to the BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool that you can use to help determine if you need further assessment or testing.
- What is the notification process for confirmed cases of COVID-19?
What is the notification process for confirmed cases of COVID-19?
UBC will continue to follow the direction provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and public health authorities, with regard to notification of COVID-19 cases.
Any members of our UBC community who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are asked to follow the guidance of the BCCDC. The current guidance advises individuals who test positive to contact their own close contacts. More information on steps to take, including when and how to notify your close contacts, can be found on the BCCDC website: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/if-you-have-covid-19.
- What can I do to protect myself from the flu?
What can I do to protect myself from the flu?
Protect yourself by taking the flu vaccine through a public clinic or a pharmacy. Visit Immunize BC’s Influenza clinic locator to find out more: www.immunizebc.ca.
Safety planning
- What is UBC’s approach to COVID-19 safety planning?
What is UBC’s approach to COVID-19 safety planning?
UBC follows a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework in alignment with the BC Centre for Disease Control and WorkSafeBC that covers all UBC activities.
UBC will continue to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19, and is well placed to adjust its approach if required.
For further details please visit the site according to your campus: UBC Vancouver | UBC Okanagan.