Learn about the vaccines being used in B.C. and how they work.
Last updated: June 30, 2023
Vaccines teach the immune system how to recognize and fight off specific infections like COVID-19. They help protect you from getting an infection or getting seriously ill if you are exposed.
COVID-19 vaccines currently available in B.C. include:
Other vaccines have been
authorized for use in Canada by Health Canada.
Learn about getting a vaccine
Vaccines work by teaching your body's immune system to remember and recognize a virus. Your body can then defend you if you are exposed in the future.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines. These vaccines teach your body to make a piece of a protein from the COVID-19 virus using instructions from the virus, called mRNA.
The instructions tell cells in your body how to make part of a harmless protein from the virus. Once the cells make the protein, the instructions are broken down.
The cells display the pieces of protein they’ve created on the outside of your cell and your body recognizes that protein as foreign and develops an immune response. This response will recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if you are exposed later on.
mRNA vaccines do not change or affect your own DNA.
Learn more from ImmunizeBC’s How Vaccines Work
