High vaccination rate behind end to COVID testing at UBCO

The University of B.C., which includes UBCO in Kelowna, has dropped its requirement for unvaccinated students and staff to take COVID tests.

That’s due in large part to a high vaccination rate but also due to the nature of the Omicron variant.

“The COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program has helped to ensure that over 97 percent of students, faculty and staff are double vaccinated,” states a notice to staff and students posted on Feb. 28. “This level of vaccination, along with other public health measures, has resulted in a very low incidence rate of COVID-19 cases, one of the lowest community rates observed within the province.”

That allowed the university to drop the testing requirement the next day for those who are unvaccinated.

READ MORE: Okanagan chambers call for end of vaccine mandates

“Current scientific evidence, including B.C. data, indicates that COVID-19 vaccination (two doses), continues to be highly effective at preventing severe illness, but has significantly lower effectiveness at preventing transmission of the Omicron variant,” the notice says. “This means that regular rapid testing of asymptomatic individuals under the UBC COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program no longer has utility.”

Other provincial health orders stay in place at the university campuses. This includes the need to wear masks in indoor public spaces, health screening checks before going on campus and for students who live in residence and students and staff in health care settings to be vaccinated.

The university continues to encourage staff and students to get vaccinated and to get booster shots.

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