Get your flu and COVID-19 immunizations (2024)

Help protect yourself and your community this respiratory illness season bygetting your updated flu and COVID-19 immunizations.

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On this page

  • Get your flu and COVID-19 immunizations at the same time
  • Reschedule or get a new booking link
  • If you haven't received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.
  • Understand my COVID-19 vaccine options
  • Protect yourself from the flu
  • What to expect before, during and after an appointment
  • Keep your records up to date
  • I need help

Get your flu and COVID-19 immunizations at the same time

Getting immunized isthe most effective way to stay safe this respiratory illness season.

Updated flu and COVID-19 immunizations that offer better protection against the latest virus strains are available in B.C. starting in October 2024.

Everyone 6 months or older can get free updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. National Advisory Committee on Immunizationsguidance recommends that those at high risk of infection and severe disease get updated immunizations. This also includes individuals in or from First Nations communities and Metis and Inuit people living in B.C.

Starting October 8, notifications with a direct booking link are being sent out, beginning with priority populations and then to everyone else registered in the Get Vaccinated System until early November. This includes:

  • Health care workers
  • People who are clinically extremely vulnerable
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Children (6 months – 17 years)
  • Adults (18-64)

If you've received a dose of aCOVID-19 vaccine in B.C., you'realready registered with the Get Vaccinated system. You only need to register once. We'll send you an email or SMS text when it's time to book your next appointment.

These vaccines are available at public health units, doctor's or nurse practitioner's offices, and pharmacies throughout the province. People living in First Nations communities can contact their community health centre or nursing station to book an appointment or find out about clinic locations.

If you have questions about your flu and COVID-19 immunizations,phone the call centre.

Reschedule or get a new booking link

If needed, you can easilyreschedule or cancel your appointment online.

If you can't find your booking link, you canget a new one.

Phone the call centre if you have questions about booking appointments for your family.

If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C.

Step 1. Register with the Get Vaccinated system

Register in the Get Vaccinated systemto receive your notification to book anappointment and to stay up to date with your flu and COVID-19 immunizations.

You can register yourself or someone else, like a parent, grandparent or child.We will never ask you foryour Social Insurance Number, driver's licence number orbanking andcredit card details.

Fastest option: online

To register online, you must provide:

  • First and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Postal code
  • Personal Health Number (PHN)
  • An email address that gets checked regularlyora phone number that can receive text messages

Find your PHNon the back of your B.C. driver's licence, BC Services Card or CareCard.

Register onlineIt takes 2 minutes.

Other registration and booking options

By phone – Pick this option if you don't have a PHN

Ifyou don't have a Personal Health Number (PHN), you need to register by phone.A PHN will be created for you.

Call:1-833-838-2323| 7 days a week: 7 am to 7 pm (Monday, November 11: 9 am – 5 pm) | Translators are available

Outside Canada and the USA: 1-604-681-4261.

Telephone for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: Dial 711.

Video Relay Services (VRS) provides sign language interpretationfree for registered deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired people.

At a Service BC office

You can register in-person at all Service BC offices.

Office hours vary by location. Check before you go.

  • Find a Service BC office close to me

Everyone can get immunized,even if you don’t have a PHN or other documentation.It doesn't matter if you are a Canadian citizen.

All of your information will be kept private and willnever be shared with other agencies or parts of government.

Step 2. Book my vaccineappointment

After youregister with Get Vaccinated, we will send you a notification. Use the link in your notification to book your vaccine appointmentonline or by phone.

Understand my COVID-19vaccine options

​Vaccines available in B.C.

Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure all the vaccines and medicines are safe. Updated mRNA vaccines that offer better protection against the latest COVID-19 variants are available for people 6 months and older.

Find the latestapproved vaccines in Canada.

I want a non-mRNA vaccine

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 other treatment options if you get COVID-19.

Vaccines for children and youth

COVID-19 vaccines arean important part of your child's routine immunizationschedule.

Your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other childhood vaccines, including theinfluenza (flu) vaccine. If you have multiple children, they each need an appointment.

Plan to be at the appointment with your child for 15 to 30 minutes.

Give consent at the vaccine appointment

Consent is required for children to get a COVID-19 vaccine.You'll be asked to provide consent at theappointment.

Consent for a child can be provided by a:

  • Parent,legal guardian or foster parent
  • Custodial caregiver like a grandparent or relative

Only oneparent, legal guardianor foster parentis required to give consent.

I've already had COVID-19

Even if you've already had COVID-19 and recovered, you should still get immunized.

If you were recently sick,you can get the vaccine once your symptoms have passed.

If you have anappointment butyou still have symptoms, reschedule for when you will be fully recovered.

Other considerations

Most people who are eligible can be safely immunized against COVID-19, although a very small number of people who have severe allergies to parts of the vaccine may need to speak to their health care provider about options.

Visit BC Centre for Disease Control'svaccine considerations page to learn more.

Read more abouthow to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 at HealthLink BC.

Protect yourself from the flu

All eligible B.C. residents6 months and older can get a free flu vaccine in the fall and winter.

What to expect before, during and after my appointment

Review what to prepare for your immunization appointment and learn about post-care guidance.

Arrive prepared

Get ready for my appointment:

  • You don't need to fast.Be sure to drink water
  • Bring your booking confirmation and photo ID
  • Wear a short-sleeved shirt
  • Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled appointment time

During my appointment

At the pharmacy or clinic you will:

  • Check-in with your photo ID and booking confirmation. For modesty, you can ask for a private location to get your shot
  • Get your vaccine dose
  • Wait in an observation area after your shot for about 15 minutes

After my appointment

Review immunizationaftercareinstructions from HealthLink BC.

Keep your records up to date

When you get immunized, yourinformation will be entered into the electronic Provincial Immunization Registry. You can access yourimmunization record online or request a printed copy by phone or at a Service BC office.

Online:

Register forHealth Gatewayto view or update your immunizationrecordsand download your proof of vaccination documents.

You need aBC services card to register.

Phone:

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

In person at aService BC office:

You can get a printed copy of your immunization record at allService BC offices.

Update myimmunization record

If your immunization records are missing on Health Gateway, they can be entered into the electronic Provincial Immunization Registry.

  • Submit or update your record

I need help

I don’t have a PHN

Each B.C. resident enrolled with the Medical Services Plan is given a unique lifetime identifier for health care called a Personal Health Number (PHN). Your PHN and can be found on your BC Services Card.

Look up or create a PHN.

If you’ve entered the correct PHN but experience issues logging in, please contact the call centre at 1-833-838-2323 for assistance.

I'm not a resident of B.C.

Non-B.C. residents can phone the provincial call centre 1-833-838-2323 to book an appointment.

I want to learn more about COVID-19 in B.C.

Find information on testing, treatment, guidance and more.

Phone the call centre if you have questions about your COVID-19 immunizationoptions and need help booking an appointment. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about when you should get the vaccine.

Call:1-833-838-2323

7 days a week: 7 am to 7 pm (Monday, November 11: 9 am – 5 pm) | Translators are available

Outside Canada and the USA:1-604-681-4261

Telephone for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: Dial711

Video Relay Services (VRS) sign language interpretationisfree for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired.

Get your flu and COVID-19 immunizations (2024)
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