Many Two-Spirit, transgender and gender diverse individuals have questions and concerns about how to navigate the potential challenges and safety concerns associated with using the BC Vaccine Card as proof of vaccination to access some events, services and businesses. These concerns include fear of being outed, having dead names listed on identification documents (ID), and whether or not they will be confronted if someone is confused about their identification.
Two-Spirit, transgender and gender diverse people have the right to be referred to by their correct name and pronoun, and to not be outed, even if they have not legally changed their name. The safety and human rights issues associated with dead-naming and being outed in situations when someone needs to show ID, or because various databases do not communicate with each other, are well-known in the province. There are multiple teams working hard to address these concerns. Unfortunately, these issues are logistically complex and developing solutions to solve them is a long-term and multi-pronged project. For these reasons, calling one’s primary care provider, MSP, HIBC or ICBC to voice these concerns will not fix the problem on an individual or system-wide level.
The following information may be helpful when navigating these challenging situations.
(NOTE: You can also access this information in a downloadable Adobe PDF file.)
- For some individuals who have legally changed their name, the BC Vaccine Card may not yet reflect this important update.
- The team responsible for this issue is aware and is working to fix it.
- If your card does not reflect your legal name change, you may find that if you re-generate your card, it may be automatically updated.
- If the problem persists, you can call the BC Immunization Line at 1-833-838-2323 and they will help you update this information.
- If you would like to do a legal name change, there are resources that can help you and subsidies are available.
- If you do not want to do a legal name change, it may be helpful to have an up-to-date picture on your ID and/or a “carry letter” from your primary care provider.
- A “carry letter” is commonly used during travel and in other situations where identification is required and one’s photograph, gender marker or name does not align with one’s physical appearance.
- “Carry letters” are not legal documents and do not guarantee that there will not be confusion, but they can be helpful.
- Some clinics charge fees for completing letters & forms related to gender-affirmation. You can ask your primary care provider to consider waiving any associated fees.
- For a template you can share with your provider, please visit the Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word template files.
- Some people find it helpful to make sure that they have a government-issued photo ID that accurately reflects their current appearance.
- You may also wish to discuss a “carry letter” with your primary care provider (see above for details).
- If you haven’t already:
- There is not a single electronic medical record system in the province, which means your information will not be automatically updated at every clinic, hospital or lab.
- You may want to contact each site separately to find out if your records have been updated, and if not, how to make sure that happens before you go in-person. Your primary care provider may be able to help you with this.
- Other provincial and private records need to be updated independently. Contact each agency separately. They may require your Change of Name Certificate and other matching ID.
- There may be reasons why someone may have difficulty accessing a vaccine card (for example, not having MSP, not having internet access, unable to access the process in English, needing assistance to fill out a form, not having ID or not being able to see a QR code).
- If you are having difficulty accessing a BC Vaccine card, the following options are available to have a card printed:
- call the Province’s Call Centre at 1-833-838-2323 to get a card in the mail
- visit Service BC Centre to get card printed in person
