COVID-19 vaccination toolkit for health professionals

Guidance and information on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination resources for health professionals in the province of British Columbia

Last updated: Sep 20, 2023

COVID-19 continues to be a serious public health threat. Health Canada has authorized the use of several COVID-19 vaccines in Canada, supported by evidence that they are safe and effective.

This toolkit includes resources for individuals supporting the COVID-19 immunization program in B.C.

Key resources

BC Immunization Manual: Provides best practice guidelines to direct the provision of immunization services.
Part 4 - Biological Products: Product-specific information on vaccines & immune globulins including eligibility, dosing & scheduling
COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule Infographic
COVID-19 Immunization Communication Tool
Vaccine Administration & Aftercare
Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs)

General COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Health care provider Q&A

This Q&A includes general information about COVID-19 vaccines and questions and answers specific to the vaccines currently in use in B.C. COVID-19 vaccine information is evolving, and as such, this Q&A will be updated as new information and new COVID-19 vaccines become available in B.C.

What: Comprehensive COVID-19 question and answer document for vaccines currently in use in B.C. - BCCDC

Audience: Health care providers

Use: Learn more about the vaccine development and safety, efficacy, dosing, scheduling, administration, contraindications and considerations, vaccine storage and handling for the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in B.C.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Comparison Table

This table includes the identifiers for each of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines supplied in BC. For complete information on each vaccine, see the BC Immunization Manual, Part 4 - Biological Products.

What: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Comparison Table

Audience: Health care providers

Use: Provides a brief summary of the visual identifiers of the various COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Handouts & info for the public

W hat: HealthLinkBC File #124a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines and File #124c COVID-19 Protein Subunit Vaccine

Audience: Health care providers and the general public

Use: Supporting individuals in making an informed consent is critical to the immunization process. The HealthLink BC files can be used to support people in making a voluntary informed choice on the disease being prevented, eligibility, risks, benefits and considerations when being immunized.

A plain language guide immunizers can provide to individuals following vaccination.

What: COVID-19 Vaccination Aftercare handout - BCCDC

Audience: Immunizers for COVID-19 vaccines

Use: Review of possible side effects and symptoms to monitor in the days following vaccination, as well as information on immunity, reminders regarding follow-up and maintaining public health guidelines.

Translated versions available in American Sign Language, Arabic, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese.

Go to translations

Public Q&A resources

Health care professionals and the individuals they engage with may have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

These evidence based resources will help you to learn more, or to provide support to those looking for information.

What: Frequently asked questions for COVID-19 vaccines – Immunize BC

Audience: B.C. residents looking for evidence based immunization information and tools

Use: Provides an overview to questions on popular topics such as:

registration, clinics and phases
safety, allergies and side effects
dose, scheduling and timing with other vaccines
after the vaccine

What: COVID-19 immunization Q&A – Immunize Canada

Audience: Health Care Providers and B.C. residents looking for evidence based immunization information

Use: Question and answer sheet that addresses common questions concerning COVID-19 immunizations.

Informed consent & health assessments for vaccination

Supporting resources to assist heath care providers in conducting an informed consent conversation and health assessment with a person being vaccinated.

WHAT: COVID-19 Vaccine Screening Checklist - BCCDC

AUDIENCE: COVID-19 immunizers

USE: To support both a health assessment and informed consent with a person being vaccinated. Questions listed are related to the contraindications, precautions and special considerations for COVID-19 immunization.‎

WHAT: Translated Informed Consent/Health Assessment Questions

AUDIENCE: COVID-19 immunizers

Use: In order to minimize the need for translators at mass COVID-19 immunization clinics to facilitate the informed consent/health assessment conversation with clients who do not speak English, questions that would typically be asked prior to COVID-19 Immunization have been translated into several languages. Based on the client's responses, the healthcare provider can determine whether further discussion with the clients via a translator is required.

Consent forms for COVID-19 immunization of children:

Cover letter for overseas parents of international students

WHAT: COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Deferral

AUDIENCE: Health care providers

USE: For support of exemption requests under the

Provincial Health Officer's COVID-19 Vaccination Status Information and Preventive Measures Order.

Reducing immunization injection pain and anxiety

It is estimated that 63% of children and 23% of adults have needle fears with approximately 10% of the adult population being needle phobic. Pain associated with vaccine injections is a source of distress for individuals of any age as well as for the immunization provider. If not addressed, the pain and anxiety associated with immunizations can be related to fear of future procedures, medical fears, and avoidance behaviours including non-adherence with immunization schedules.

What: The BC Immunization Manual, Appendix D – Reducing Immunization Injection Pain provides evidence based, best practice guidelines on addressing immunization injection pain and anxiety. The following are links to additional resources to improve the immunization experience:

Immunize Canada has a variety of resources on the Immunization Pain Management page such as quick reference guides that address Needle Fear, and Needle Related Fainting.
The CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, and Distract) system is a resource that provides practical strategies to reduce immunization injection pain and anxiety to improve the immunization experience. Click on the image below to view in browser.

The CARD Poster can be displayed in clinic settings as a visual reminder of the key strategies that health care providers and clients can use to improve the immunization experience. Click on the image below to view in browser.

In addition, the SKIP (Solutions for Kids in Pain) PowerPoint presentation provides an overview of the importance of immunization injection pain management.

Audience: Immunizing health care providers

Use: To support health care providers reduce immunization injection pain and anxiety

Management of inadvertent COVID-19 vaccine errors

What: Guidance on the Management of Inadvertent COVID-19 Vaccine Errors

Audience: Health care providers

Use: Assist immunization providers with the management of inadvertent COVID-19 vaccine administration errors.

What: Strategies to Prevent COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Errors

Audience: Health care providers

Use: Assist immunization providers with strategies to mitigate vaccination errors.

COVID-19 vaccination outside of Canada

What: World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Qualified COVID-19 Vaccines

Audience: COVID-19 immunizers

Use: This document is intended to provide health care providers with approaches for individuals who have received COVID-19 vaccination outside of Canada.

Education & training for immunizers

Education recommendations for COVID-19 and influenza immunizers as per respective regulatory college scope of practices and Provincial Health Officer Orders

(Click to enlarge)

The BCCDC courses COVID-19 Immunization for Older Children and Adolescents and COVID-19 Immunization for Children 5-11 Years of Age are intended for health care providers who will be administering COVID-19 vaccine to these younger age groups.

Becoming a COVID-19 immunizer

What: Register to become a COVID-19 immunizer

Audience: Individuals eligible to vaccinate as per their Regulatory College or Provincial Health Officer Orders

To ensure you have met all the necessary competencies to provide COVID-19 and/or influenza vaccines in B.C.:

What: Educational requirements prior to being able to immunize – BCCDC

Audience: Individuals eligible to vaccinate as per their Regulatory College or Provincial Health Officer Orders

Use: Reference document to guide all immunizers in ensuring they have met the necessary training, knowledge and skills to provide COVID-19 and/or influenza vaccines in B.C.

What: Clinical Immunization Roles, Scope, and Recommended/Required Education related to the PHO Order on health professionals and COVID-19 immunization.

Audience: Health care providers

Use: This document provides an overview of the clinical immunization roles, scope and education for health professionals eligible to immunize under the Provincial Health Officer Orders.

What: Immunization FAQs related to the PHO Order on health professionals and COVID-19 immunization.

Audience: Health care providers

Use: This document answers questions about clinical immunization roles, scope and education for health professionals eligible to immuize under the Provincial Health Officer Orders.

Communicating with patients about immunization

Health care professionals play an essential role in providing the public with evidence based information regarding immunization.

The following resources may help to support that role:

What: Immunization Communication Tool for Immunizers - British Columbia Immunization Committee Professional Education Working Group

Audience: Health Care Providers communicating vaccine information to the public

Use: An approach providing a systematic method to answer difficult immunization questions and help to enhance immunization communication between health care providers and the public.

What: COVID-19 Immunization Communication Tool

Audience: Health care providers communicating COVID-19 vaccine information to the public

Use: An approach that provides health care providers a basis for responding to questions about COVID-19 and immunization.

What: Immunization Communication Course - PHSA Learning Hub

Audience: Health Care Providers communicating vaccine information to the public

Use: For immunizers wanting a deeper dive to improve their knowledge, ability and confidence with engaging in effective immunization communication.

What: Vaccine Safety - BCCDC website

Audience: Health Care Providers communicating vaccine information to the public

Use: Offers information and materials for health care providers to help address misconceptions and concerns about vaccine safety.

What: Planning for your vaccine: Pregnancy or breastfeeding – BCCDC, BC Ministry of Health, Perinatal Services BC

Audience: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Use: Handout for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals to support making an informed choice about whether to get a COVID-19 vaccine. This handout covers the benefits and risks of getting a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding, expert recommendations, as well as considerations and options in decision making.

Health Canada has created a several resources that immunizers can use to discuss COVID-19 immunizations in a clear manner with people being immunized.

Video: How COVID-19 Vaccines are Developed
Infographic: Vaccine Development and Review in Canada
Webpage: What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine for Canada

Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV)

Clinical Immunization Guidelines for CEV Patient Populations

Audience: Health Care Providers

Use: To inform and guide clinical decision making for these patient populations.

Clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccination for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV)

To find specific information about vaccine efficacy, timing considerations, any contraindications or exceptions for people with the following medical conditions:

Autoimmune diseases

Cancers

Cystic Fibrosis

Clinical Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Cystic Fibrosis

Hematologic

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Clinical Guidance on COVID- 19 Vaccines for People with Metabolically Unstable Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Clinical Guidance on COVID- 19 Vaccines for Persons with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Kidney/Renal

Clinical Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Kidney Disease

Neuromuscular

Pregnant people with heart disease

COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant People with Heart Disease

Splenectomy

Clinical Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Splenectomy or Functional Asplenia

Transplant

Clinical Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines for Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Immunosuppressive Therapies and Timing with COVID-19 Vaccination

WHAT: Immunosuppressive Therapies and Timing with COVID-19 Vaccination

AUDIENCE: COVID-19 immunizers

USE: Provide information to immunizers regarding when to provide COVID-19 vaccination and when to direct individuals to speak with their healthcare team prior to vaccination.

Dual Public Health Emergencies

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape daily life in B.C. and across the globe, we have seen a substantial increase in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses due to an unregulated, unpredictable and highly toxic drug supply. The intersection of these emergencies has had devastating effects on people who use drugs and their loved ones.

Healthcare providers providing COVID-19 immunization can learn more about how to support the health of individuals engaged in substance use, through the following resources:

Vaccine storage & handling

COVID-19 vaccines are sensitive biological products that must be carefully managed to protect their potency and stability.

Information related to the transport, storage and handling to maintain optimal temperature conditions, otherwise known as cold chain, can be found below.

Please NOTE that ancillary and more detailed information can be found on the COVID-19 Immunize BC Operations Centre: Standard Operating Procedures webpage.

Guidelines & standard operating procedures

WHAT: Standard Operating Procedures webpage – BCCDC

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the transport, storage and handling of all COVID-19 vaccines

USE: This webpage directs users to information included in the Standard Operating Procedures for COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine-specific cold chain, reporting and data requirements, and communication pathways.

WHAT: BC Immunization Manual “Appendix E: Management of Biologicals” - BCCDC

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the transport, storage and handling of provincial vaccines

USE: Includes complete overall guidance on the management of vaccines, including the cold chain process, general recommendations, required equipment, handling of biological products, and the management of a cold chain incident.

WHAT: Guidance Documents - BCCDC

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the receiving and handling of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines

USE: Provides specific guidance for the receipt and handling of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines; including dry ice procedures where relevant. Topics such as temperature requirements upon vaccine receipt, cold chain maintenance, equipment and unpacking thermal shipping containers are covered.

Online training & webinars

WHAT: BCCDC Vaccine Management webpage (training videos) - BCCDC

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the transport, storage and handling of provincial vaccines

USE: The BCCDC Vaccine Management webpage includes training videos on overall Biological Management for vaccines. These videos include an introduction on managing biologicals, cold chain breaks, surplus of vaccine, and vaccine expiry.

WHAT: Dry Ice Handling Safety Training Course - LearningHub course #24530

AUDIENCE: Any employees handling thermal shippers, dry ice replenishments or disposal.

USE: This course provides dry ice safety training for the purposes of vaccine packing and transporting.

Learning objectives:

Describe the hazards of dry ice.
Demonstrate knowledge of safe dry ice handling, storage, disposal, and transportation practices.
Use dry ice safety strategies in the application of vaccine storage, handling, and transport.

WHAT: Vaccine Storage and Handling Course - LearningHub course #19652

AUDIENCE: Medical Office Assistants, Health Unit Aides, as well as any other interested immunizer (e.g., PHNs, Pharmacists, RNs, Physicians, health care students).

USE: To learn or refresh knowledge regarding how to appropriately handle and store vaccines based on our provincial guidelines. Cold chain and cold chain breaks are discussed.

Quick reference guides

WHAT: Vaccine Storage and Handling Quick Reference Guide - BCCDC

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the transport, storage and handling of provincial vaccines

USE: An illustrated quick reference guide for the storage and handling of vaccines that can be kept at 2-8°C. Topics covered include: acceptable refrigerators for vaccine storage, monitoring of vaccines, transporting vaccines, and cold chain incidents. Though this resource is not specific to mRNA vaccines, some of the information can be used to inform their storage and handling when they are being used at 2-8°C.

WHAT: Temperature Probe Characteristics – Immunize BC Operations Centre

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the transport, storage and handling of all COVID-19 vaccines

USE: Reference sheet comparing and contrasting the characteristics of the Ultra probeless dry ice, Ultra dry ice probe, and Ultra temperature monitoring devices.

WHAT: Cold Chain Incident Reporting process – Immunize BC Operations Centre

AUDIENCE: Individuals supporting the receipt, transport, storage and handling of COVID-19 vaccines

USE: Step by step reporting process for temperature excursions occurring while vaccine is in the custody of the manufacturer, enroute to a primary delivery site and temperature excursions occurring while vaccine is in the custody of the health authority.