Pandemic Preparedness

Last Updated: March 25, 2020 

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) 

The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve here in B.C., Canada and other jurisdictions in the world. The Ministry of Health, Office of the Provincial Health Officer, BC Centre for Disease Control, and the Province are responding to the pandemic. 

COVID-19 Preparedness and Planning Material

• Pandemic Provincial Coordination Plan (PDF, 900KB)
• BC Pandemic COVID-19 Response Plan – Technical Briefing (PDF, 405KB)
• BC Pandemic COVID-19 Response Plan – Technical Briefing (Chinese) (PDF, 455KB)
• BC Pandemic COVID-19 Response Plan – Technical Briefing (Farsi) (PDF, 351KB)

Influenza

An influenza pandemic may occur when an influenza virus radically changes and can easily infect humans, and against which people have little or no immunity. Pandemics have been recorded every ten to forty years dating back to the 1600s, and likely long before then. There were three during the last century. In the 1918-19, the "Spanish flu", over 20 million people died worldwide. The last pandemic, the "Hong Kong flu", occurred in 1968.

British Columbia continually works with provincial, national and international partners to plan, prepare for and respond to a possible influenza pandemic. This website provides information and tips to help individuals, local governments, health sector organizations and businesses plan for an influenza pandemic. It also includes guidelines, response plans, public information materials, contacts and informational links.

Influenza Preparedness and Planning Material

• BC Pandemic Influenza Immunization Response Plan (2012) (PDF, 701KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Immunization Response Plan Check List (2012) (PDF, 160KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (2012) (167 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Antiviral Distribution Plan (2012) (158 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Communication And Education Framework (2012) (359 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Community Psychosocial Support Plan (2012) (259 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Ethics Framework (2012) (5.1 MB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Human Resource Planning Guideline (2012) (390 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Laboratory Plan (2012) (442 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Planning Assumptions (2012) (194 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Private Physician Office Infection Control Guidelines (2012) (1.9 MB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Psychosocial Support Plan for Health Care Workers and Providers (2012) (435 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Self Care Guide (2012) (217 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Surveillance Plan (2012) (259 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Testing Guidelines (2012) (145 KB)
• BC Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Storage Transfer Security Plan (2012) (386 KB)

RN and RPN Decision Support Tool (Clinical Practice Guidelines)

• RN and RPN Decision Support Tool (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for Identification and Early Treatment of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Symptoms during an Influenza Pandemic in the Absence of a Medical Practitioner or Nurse Practitioner (PDF, 557 KB)