Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against severe illness from influenza (flu) or COVID-19.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available to help protect you during respiratory illness season this fall and winter. Immunizations are available at no cost to eligible people 6 months and older in BC.
You can get immunized at participating pharmacies, public health clinics, First Nations community health centres or nursing stations, and some primary-care providers' offices throughout the province.
People who are registered with the
Get Vaccinated system will receive a notification to book an appointment. Notifications will be sent starting October 5, 2026, and will continue into November.
Flu and COVID-19 immunization appointments will start as early as October 13, 2026, and continue this fall and winter. Everyone in BC who is registered in the Get Vaccinated system will get a notification when it's time to book an influenza vaccine appointment. If a COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended, you will receive a notification through the Get Vaccinated system to book an appointment.
If you have questions about COVID-19 or influenza immunizations, please contact your primary health care provider, local pharmacy, public health unit, or phone the call centre at 1-833-838-2323.
Book an appointment
Use the Get Vaccinated notification to book your appointment. You can book your influenza and COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the same time. Select a date and time at a health authority clinic or community pharmacy near you. If needed, you can easily reschedule your appointment online.
Immunization appointments will begin on October 13, 2026, starting with those at highest risk of infection or severe illness.
Call 1-833-838-2323 if you have questions.
You may also be able to book an appointment with your primary health care provider, if they offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
Add or update your contact information in Get Vaccinated
Get Vaccinated makes it easy to book and manage your vaccine appointments online. Book an appointment for yourself or someone else, such as a parent or child. You can also change or cancel an existing booking, or update your contact information to ensure you receive timely health updates. Visit the Get Vaccinated website.
Add or update your contact information in the Get Vaccinated system to receive notifications when it’s time to book your COVID-19 and influenza immunization appointments.
You can add or update information for yourself or someone else, like a parent, grandparent or child.
Manage contact information
Walk-ins
Many pharmacies will be offering walk-in appointments. Check with your local pharmacy.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. All BC residents can get an influenza vaccine at no cost in the fall and winter.
While anyone can get sick with influenza, it is particularly important for people at high risk of severe disease and complications to get immunized, including:
- Adults 65 years and older
- Residents of long-term care homes and assisted living facilities
- Children 6 months to 5 years
- People who are immunocompromised or have an underlying medical condition
- People who are pregnant
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples 6 months of age and older are also recommended the vaccine because they may be at higher risk of serious illness due to health inequities from settler colonialism.
The vaccine is also recommended for people who can spread the virus to those at high risk and those who provide essential community services like health care workers and first responders.
Enhanced vaccines are available for older adults
To help create a stronger immune response, enhanced vaccines are available for people 65 years and older.
Influenza vaccines for children
It is recommended that children under 5 years of age receive the influenza vaccine as they are at higher risk of serious illness.
Children under 9 years of age who have never had an influenza vaccine need 2 doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose.
Children 2 years and older can receive their influenza vaccine as a nasal spray.
To prevent serious illness, get your child immunized every year. It's safe for your child to get their influenza vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.
Learn more about the influenza vaccine given as a nasal spray.
If a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for you, you will receive a notification through the Get Vaccinated system when it's time to book your appointment. All BC residents 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost in the fall and winter. When you receive your notification to book your influenza appointment online, you can choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine too.
While anyone can get sick with COVID-19, some people are at much higher risk of severe disease and complications, and vaccines are recommended for:
- Individuals 6 months and older who have underlying health conditions and are considered severely immunocompromised
- Adults 65 years and older
- Residents of long-term care homes and assisted living facilities
- People who are pregnant
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples six months of age and older and those living in Indigenous communities are also recommended the vaccine. Indigenous peoples may be disproportionately affected due to health inequities from settler colonialism.
The vaccine is also recommended for people who provide essential community services like health care workers and first responders.
Updated mRNA and non-mRNA vaccines based on the XFG variant are available this fall and winter. Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure approved vaccines are safe and effective. Find the latest
approved vaccines in Canada.
The Nuvaxovid® protein subunit vaccine is available in select locations. Contact the call centre to find out where it is available at 1-833-838-2323.
Timing and previous doses
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends getting the updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccine at least 3 months after your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
This interval may be shorter for the primary series depending on your age, medical conditions and COVID-19 vaccination history.
Timing of immunization after infection
If you've recently had a positive COVID-19 test result, the chance of getting COVID-19 again is low in the months after infection. You can generally wait 3 months for your next vaccine dose. The immune response is better when there is more time between infection and vaccination.
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There are three Health Canada approved vaccines that protect against infection from
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is usually a mild illness but it can lead to more severe infections in certain people, especially babies, people with immune system, heart or lung problems, and adults over the age of 65.
RSV vaccines can help to protect older adults from RSV. For further information on RSV protection, visit
HealthLink BC.
RSV vaccine program for older adults
Beginning in the fall of 2026, BC is introducing a time-limited RSV vaccine program for older adults. One dose of the RSV vaccine is recommended and available at no cost for: - Adults 75 years of age and older
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis people 60 years of age and older
Indigenous people may be at increased risk of serious illness from RSV due to health inequities from settler colonialism.
Only one dose of vaccine is recommended for protection. People who previously received a dose of any RSV vaccine do not need another dose.
How to get immunized
Individuals eligible for the RSV vaccine for older adults can contact the call centre at 1-833-838-2323 to find out where to get immunized. You can also check with pharmacies or your health authority for locations that are providing the vaccine:
The RSV vaccine is available year-round. More appointments will be available in the coming months, as more doses arrive in BC and are distributed to RSV immunization locations.
RSV vaccine recommendations
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the RSV vaccine for:
- All adults 75 years of age and older
- Adults 65-74 years of age who are at risk of severe RSV disease
- Adults 18 years of age and older who:
- Are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Had a lung transplant
- Had a stem cell transplant
- Are on home oxygen or require oxygen therapy
- Are receiving dialysis
Adults 50 to 74 who are not in these groups can talk to their health care provider to see if the vaccine is right for them.
How to get vaccinated
The vaccine is given as one dose, and works best if given just before RSV season begins. In Canada, RSV season is in the fall and winter, when the virus is most active.
If you are not eligible for a free RSV vaccine through the provincial RSV vaccine program, vaccines can be purchased at
select pharmacies and travel clinics. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine.
There are two products that can help protect infants and young children from severe RSV:
- Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody medicine for certain infants and young children at higher risk
- RSV vaccine for people who are pregnant
High risk infants
Nirsevimab is offered to certain infants and young children under 2 years of age during the RSV season through the BC Infant RSV ImmunoprophylaxisProgram.Many eligible babies receive Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) before they leave the hospital, while others may get it at a public health clinic or community health centre. Families of eligible infants and young children may be contacted by a health care provider.
Pregnant people
The RSV vaccine (Abrysvo®) can be given between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect infants from severe RSV. It works best if given at least two weeks before birth, so the antibodies have time to reach your baby. In BC, the cost of the RSV vaccine is generally not publicly covered. The vaccine is available for purchase from pharmacies.
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You can eat and drink right up to your appointment time.
Bring your Personal Health Number if you have one. You can find your Personal Health Number on the back of your B.C. driver's licence, BC Services Card or CareCard.
Wear loose-fitting clothing for easy access to the arm and shoulder. Vaccines are given by injection into the muscle on your shoulder.
If you are sick or have symptoms like cough or fever, stay home and wait until you feel better to get your vaccine.
Depending on the pharmacy or clinic you visit, the steps once you arrive may vary. At most sites, the process will work like this:
- Your ID will be verified and you’ll be asked to wait for an available immunizer.
- For modesty, you can ask for a private location to get your vaccine.
- Once you are with an immunizer, they will ask you to give your consent to be vaccinated.
- You will receive your vaccine.
- You will be provided information on care after getting immunized.
- You will be asked to wait for 15-30 minutes in a waiting area after you receive your vaccine to be monitored. About one in 1 million people will experience a severe allergic reaction. By staying in the clinic, a health care provider can respond in the event this happens. Tell a health care provider if you feel unwell after your vaccine.
- You can leave the pharmacy or clinic.
Pain or fear of needles
Pain or fear associated with vaccinations can cause stress and anxiety.Get tips for a positive immunization experience for:
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Side effects are common a day or two after getting a vaccine. These can include:
- Pain, redness, itchiness or swelling in the arm, where the vaccine was given (right away and/or 7 days after)
- Swollen lymph nodes under the armpit
- Tiredness or headache
- Fever and chills
- Muscle or joint soreness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Children experience similar side effects as adults, though may experience some of them, like headache, chills and fever, more often
Most side effects are not serious and should go away on their own. Some side effects are a sign that the vaccine is working and your immune system is building a response.
Apply a cool, damp cloth or wrapped ice pack to painful areas.
Take medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) if you wish to ease discomfort. ASA (e.g. Aspirin) should not be given to anyone under 18 years of age. If you are pregnant, do not take ibuprofen; treat discomfort or fever with Tylenol instead.
Some of the side effects of the vaccine are similar to symptoms of respiratory illness. The vaccine will not cause or give you influenza or COVID-19.
If you are worried about your symptoms, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.
Adverse events and serious side effects
Serious side effects after getting the vaccine are rare. Seek medical attention or call 9-1-1 right away if you develop any serious side effects or a severe allergic reaction including:
- Hives
- Swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of a rapid or abnormal heart rhythm.
When you see a healthcare provider, let them know that you received a vaccine recently so they can report the issue to local public health if they suspect your symptoms were related to the vaccine.
Rare cases of heart inflammation have been reported following the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch for these symptom for 7 days after your vaccine:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart that does not go away with rest or is accompanied by other symptoms.
- If you experience any of these symptoms
- Seek medical attention right away
Tell your healthcare provider you recently got a COVID-19 vaccine.
Reporting adverse events
Please report any adverse events to your immunizer, healthcare provider, or doctor following your vaccination. Healthcare providers are trained to report these events to the correct channels to monitor vaccine safety.
If you have questions about side effects or a possible reaction to the vaccine, contact HealthLink BC by calling 8-1-1.
Visit HealthLink BC to find printable or downloadable handouts on vaccination aftercare for:
- Infants and young children
- School-age children and teens
- Adults
Vaccination Aftercare sheets
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When you get vaccinated, your information will be entered into the Provincial Immunization Registry and will be accessible to you, public health, and your care providers.
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Online: Health Gateway provides secure and convenient online access to your health records, including immunizations, lab test results, medications, and more. You need a mobile BC services card to register.
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Phone: Call 1-833-838-2323 to request a mailed copy of your immunization record.
If your
Health Gateway immunization records are incomplete, you can update your record in the Provincial Immunization Registry. You may need to submit proof of vaccination if you were immunized in another province, territory or country or if your immunization records were not submitted by the health care provider (i.e., travel clinic, primary care providers).
