Update on BC’s Immunization Strategy and People with Intellectual Disabilities
Inclusion BC and the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship have written to the BC Provincial Health Officer, the BC Minister of Health and regional health authorities to request clarification around vaccine protocols and people with intellectual disabilities.
While individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in group homes and larger congregate care facilities have been clearly identified as part of the first or second phase of immunizations, the status of those receiving support in smaller community settings is less clear.
Decision Making and the COVID-19 Vaccine
We want to help make sure that people with intellectual disabilities who choose to are able to receive the vaccine when it becomes available. Below are a few resources to help you understand the different decision making tools that may best fit your situation or that of someone you support.
Inclusion Saskatchewan has created a helpful plain language document on supported decision making and the COVID-19 vaccine. Read the document here. Supported Decision-Making means a person may accept help in making decisions without giving up the right to make decisions. Supported decision-making helps a person to understand information and make decisions based on his or her own preferences.
The Public Guardian and Trustee of BC (PGT) and Nidus have also provided information and resources about the BC Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Act, which sets out how health care providers obtain informed consent prior to administering a health care treatment.
