Unvaccinated B.C. nurse reprimanded but won’t face suspension

A B.C. nurse that worked in a long-term care facility with vulnerable residents without being vaccinated has been reprimanded but won't face a suspension.

According to an Oct. 6 B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives decision, registered nurse Enoch Roy Chowdhury worked in a Victoria area care facility between Oct. 26, 2021, and Feb. 19 without being vaccinated.

"(Chowdhury) provided nursing care to vulnerable residents in a community care facility without meeting the Public Health Order vaccination requirement of receiving the full series of a WHO-approved vaccine," the decision said.

The decision said the Public Health Order requiring nurses to be vaccinated came into effect Oct. 26, 2021.

While the decision didn't say, it appears the nurse has now been vaccinated.

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According to the province, the vaccination requirement is to protect patients from being infected with COVID-19 by unvaccinated health professionals and to minimize the number of people being hospitalized or dying because of the virus.

Chowdhury wasn't suspended but signed a consent agreement with the nursing regulator agreeing to a public reprimand.

The nurse will also have to complete a course on ethics and agreed "not to repeat" the conduct.

The decision said the nursing college is satisfied the terms will protect the public.

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