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Getting a Vaccine

Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against severe illness
from COVID-19. Find out how to register and what to expect when you get a COVID-19 immunization.

Last updated: March 28. 2025

On this page

  1. Your COVID-19 vaccine
  2. What to expect at your immunization appointment
  3. After your vaccination
  4. Register vaccines received outside of B.C.

Your COVID-19 vaccine

Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against severe illness from COVID-19. 

A spring COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people who are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19. The vaccine is available at no cost to eligible people 

 
COVID-19 immunizations are available at no cost to eligible people 6 months and older in B.C. 

Getting a spring vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease, including:
  • People 65 years of age and older, particularly those over 80 years of age
  • Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) 55 years of age and older
  • Residents of long-term care homes and assisted living residences (including those awaiting placement)
  • People aged 6 months and older with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19. This includes those who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (a CEV 1 or CEV 2 condition).
Notifications to book an appointment will be sent through the Get Vaccinated system to some of those at higher risk of severe illness. Appointments can also be booked through the call centre at 1-833-838-2323. 

The vaccine is available at approximately 400 pharmacies. Public health units will have vaccines available for children under 12 years of age. Residents of long-term care homes will be offered a vaccine at their residence.

Anyone else who feels they would benefit from a spring vaccine can consult with their health-care provider or contact the call centre at 1-833-838-2323. 

Get the spring 2025 vaccine before the end of June. The spring COVID-19 vaccine program runs April 8 to June 30, 2025.

The spring vaccines are the same vaccines that were available in fall 2024 and target the KP.2 COVID-19 subvariant.  The vaccine helps maintain your level of protection against severe illness from a COVID-19 infection. 

 
Notifications are sent by text message or email when it is time to book an immunization appointment. 

Make sure you or your child are registered with the  Get Vaccinated system. If you have already registered, you do not need to register again.

Register 
  • Online at getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca
  • By phone: Call 1-833-838-2323 (toll-free), available in 140+ different languages.
  • In-person: At all Service BC offices. You will need to have a Personal Health Number. Find a Service BC office.
Book an appointment
You will receive a notification by email or text message to book a vaccine appointment. 

You can select a date and time at a community pharmacy or vaccination clinic near you. If needed, you can easily reschedule your appointment online.

You can call 1-833-838-2323 if you have questions.

You will receive another notification to book an appointment the next time a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended.
 

 
COVID-19 vaccines were updated for the 2024/25 respiratory season. The spring COVID-19 immunization program will use the same COVID-19 vaccine in place during the latest respiratory illness season, which is the updated mRNA vaccines targeting the KP.2 COVID-19 subvariant.

A non-mRNA COVID-19 is currently not available.

If you are not able to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, speak to your health care provider about treatment options if you get COVID-19.
 

 
Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive the updated KP.2 COVID-19 vaccine.

Some may need additional doses depending on their age, medical conditions and vaccination history.

Call 1-833-838-2323 if you are eligible and have not yet received an invitation to book an additional dose.
 
There are printable handouts available for download about COVID-19 vaccination available for people who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable.

 
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. 

 
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.

How to know if you’ve had COVID-19
  • If you have ever had a positive COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen test at home)
  • If you ever had symptoms of COVID-19 and someone else in your household tested positive around the same time.

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What to expect at your immunization appointment

 
If you are sick or have symptoms like cough or fever, stay home and wait until you feel better to get your vaccine. 

 
  • 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. The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle on your shoulder.

 

Whattoexpect.PNGDepending on the pharmacy or clinic you visit, the steps once you arrive may vary. At most sites, the process will work like this:


  1. Your ID will be verified and you’ll be asked to wait for an available immunizer.
  2. For modesty, you can ask for a private location to get your vaccine.
  3. Once you are with an immunizer, they will ask you to give your consent to be vaccinated. 
  4. You will receive your vaccine. 
  5. You will be provided information on care after getting immunized.
  6. 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.
  7. You can leave the vaccination centre.

 

Pain or fear associated with vaccinations can cause stress and anxiety.


Get tips for a positive immunization experience for:

 
When you get vaccinated, your information will be entered into the Provincial Immunization Registry and will be accessible to you, public health, and your doctor.

Access your immunization record

  • Online: Register for Health Gateway. You need a mobile BC services card to register. 

  • Phone: Call 1-833-838-2323 to request a mailed copy of your immunization record.

  • In person at a Service BC office: You can get a printed copy of your immunization record at all Service BC offices.

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Vaccination aftercare

 

Side effects are common a day or two after getting the COVID-19 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.

Tips for side effects

  • 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 COVID-19. The vaccine will not cause or give you COVID-19. 

Symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough or problems breathing are NOT side effects of the vaccine. If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool.


If you are worried about your symptoms, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

 

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 the COVID-19 vaccine recently so they can report the issue to local public health if they suspect your symptoms were related to the vaccine. 

 
Serious symptoms are extremely rare after the vaccine. Rare cases of heart inflammation have been reported. 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
  1. Seek medical attention right away
  2. Tell your healthcare provider you recently got a COVID-19 vaccine

 

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

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Register vaccines received outside of B.C.

If you received a COVID-19 vaccine in another province or territory, you can submit proof of an official vaccination record.  



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