Immunizations help protect against severe illness from respiratory viruses that mostly spread during the fall and winter.
The 2025-26 viral respiratory illness season has ended. Fall and winter influenza (flu) and COVID-19 immunizations are now complete. A second dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended this spring for some people at higher risk of severe illness.
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People who are at a higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to get an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose this spring. COVID-19 circulates year-round and an additional dose provides protection from severe illness. Consult your health care provider if you are uncertain if a vaccine is recommended for you.
People at higher risk for infection who are registered to receive immunization notifications will be sent invitations starting in late April.
COVID-19 immunizations are available at no cost to eligible people in BC.
Make sure you are registered with the
Get Vaccinated system. You must be registered to book an appointment or to receive a notification. If you have already registered, you do not need to register again.
Use the notification to book your appointment
Select a date and time at a community pharmacy or health authority clinic near you. If needed, you can easily reschedule your appointment online.
Call 1-833-838-2323 if you have questions.
Some pharmacies may be offering walk-in appointments. Check with your local pharmacy.
If you have not received a flu or COVID-19 vaccine in BC, you may need to register in the Get Vaccinated system to receive your notification to book an appointment. You can register yourself or someone else, like a parent, grandparent or child.
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Online at
getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca
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By phone: Call 1-833-838-2323 (toll-free), available in 140+ different languages.
Once registered, you can use the Get Vaccinated system to book appointments when you receive a notification.
Vaccines for 2025-26
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were updated for the 2025-26 season based on the LP.8.1 variant. Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure approved vaccines are safe and effective. Find the latest
approved vaccines in Canada.
Non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are not currently available. If you cannot receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, speak to your health care provider about treatment options if you get sick with COVID-19.
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.
Influenza vaccines will be available again in fall 2026. You will be notified through the Get Vaccinated system when you are eligible to book your next influenza immunization appointment.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) 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 old during or just before RSV season through the BC Infant RSV Immunoprophylaxis Program. Examples of eligible children include:
Some premature babies
Infants and young children with certain chronic medical conditions
Infants under 6 months living in remote communities where health care access is more limited or living in congregate settings like supportive housing.
Many eligible babies receive the medicine before leaving 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
A vaccine (Abrysvo™) can be given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy and can 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. This vaccine is free for pregnant people with First Nation Health Benefits through the
First Nations Health Authority. The vaccine is available for purchase from pharmacies for other British Columbians.
Two RSV vaccines are available to protect older adults from RSV. Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the RSV vaccine for:
- Adults 75 and older, especially those at higher risk of severe RSV disease
- Adults 60 and older living in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities
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.
The vaccine is given as one dose, and works best if given just before RSV season begins. RSV season is in the fall and winter, when the virus is most active.
This vaccine is available for purchase from pharmacies.
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:
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.
Serious side effects and adverse events
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.
How to report 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
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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.
Access your immunization record
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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.
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In person at a Service BC office: You can get a printed copy of your immunization record at all Service BC Offices.
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).
Submit your immunization record
