About 3,000 unvaxxed health-care workers still on unpaid leave amid mandate

Just over 3,000 health-care workers not vaccinated against COVID-19 remain on unpaid leave in B.C. amid a province-wide mandate.

One week ago, there were 3,325 unvaccinated health-care workers off the job compared with 3,071 as of Tuesday, according to numbers Health Minister Adrian Dix offered during an afternoon briefing.

Meanwhile, a “limited supply” of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in B.C. by next week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed during the same Tuesday briefing.

She said the first priority for the vaccine will be to offer it to health-care workers who want it as an option for them to continue working within health-care facilities.

But she confirmed details would be coming next week about how the general population might be able to access the J&J through a central call number.