Publicly funded vaccines

This information is intended for health professionals. Further details are in Pharmacist administration of drugs and vaccines — Section 8.10, PharmaCare Policy Manual

On this page: Non-pharmacist administrations | How to claim | Flu vaccines (2023-2024) | COVID-19 vaccines | Publicly funded vaccine PINs | Resources

PharmaCare fees

PharmaCare pays a fee when an authorized pharmacist, and in some cases non-pharmacist, administers a publicly funded vaccine.

• The fee for administering a publicly funded vaccine to an eligible B.C. resident is usually $12.10
• The fee for administering a COVID-19 vaccine is $18.00, and the vaccine can be given to anyone in B.C., including if they are not a resident of B.C.

Key details for submitting claims:

• Enter COVID-19 and publicly funded influenza vaccinations in ImmsBC only
• For vaccinations other than COVID-19 and flu, enter in PharmaNet
• Vaccine administrations must be entered on the day of the vaccination
• Record the lot number for every vaccine administered, in case of rare events such as a vaccine recall or an adverse event following immunization (AEFI). For PharmaNet entries, record the lot number the SIG field

Refer to the BCCDC’s B.C. Immunization Manual for criteria, immunization schedule and other important information.

Learn more: Flu vaccines (2023-2024) | COVID-19 vaccines | Publicly funded vaccine PINs

Non-pharmacist vaccine administration 

Pharmacies can claim the vaccine administration fee when an authorized regulated professional administers a flu or COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., pharmacist, registered nurse).

Pharmacies can also claim the fee when the flu or COVID-19 vaccine is administered by the following health professionals in a B.C. pharmacy:

• Pharmacy student
• Pharmacy technician
• Nursing student
• Retired nurse
• Medical student (as of April 2024)

​As authorized under the November 4, 2022 PHO, these un-regulated professionals must have completed the required education to administer vaccines, and must be supervised by an authorized regulated professional.

How to claim publicly funded vaccines

Refer to COVID-19 claims and flu vaccine claims for procedures for those vaccines.

If administered to eligible patients for publicly funded vaccines:

• Use the appropriate PIN in PharmaNet
• Enter the quantity as the fluid volume of the vaccine (e.g. 0.5 mL)
• Do not enter a drug cost or fee
• Do not enter an intervention code

Patients who are not eligible:

• Dispense the vaccine ordered from your private supplier
• Enter the product’s DIN in PharmaNet
• Charge the patient directly

Flu vaccine claims (2023-2024)

During the annual campaign, pharmacies may submit claims for flu vaccinations.

Publicly funded flu vaccines

• Record in ImmsBC
• Records will be shared with PharmaNet, allowing PharmaCare to process the claim
• Note that in ImmsBC, a drug use evaluation (DUE) does not automatically occur

The publicly funded flu vaccines for the 2023 – 2024 season are:

• Flulaval Tetra
• Flumist^® Quadrivalent
• Fluzone^® Quadrivalent
• Fluad^®
• Fluzone^® High-Dose Quadrivalent

Private flu vaccines

Private supply vaccinations are eligible for PharmaCare’s drug administration fee of $11.41.

Three publicly funded flu vaccines are also available for private supply.

If product is both private and public supply:

• Record in PharmaNet
• Use the vaccine PIN:
  • Flumist^® Quadrivalent - PIN 66128276
  • Fluzone^® Quadrivalent - PIN 66128073
  • Fluzone^® High-Dose Quadrivalent - PIN 66127356
• Enter your CPBC ID in the Prescriber ID field
• In SIG field, enter lot number and injection arm (RIGHT or LEFT) or “bilateral” for nasal spray, separated by an underscore _

If product is uniquely private:

• Record in PharmaNet
• Use the vaccine DIN
• Enter your CPBC ID in the Prescriber ID field
• In SIG field, enter lot number and injection arm (RIGHT or LEFT) or “bilateral” for nasal spray, separated by an underscore _

COVID-19 vaccines

• Record in ImmsBC
• Records will be shared with the Provincial Immunization Registry (PIR) and PharmaNet, allowing PharmaCare to process the claim
• Claims entered at the end of a month may be paid two months later rather than one month later, as PharmaNet may not receive the claim until the start of the following month
• Note that in ImmsBC, a drug use evaluation (DUE) does not automatically occur

For long-term care (LTC) and assisted living (AL) residents

You must note that a vaccination is for an LTC or AL resident. In the Immunization Information section, select "AL resident" or "LTC resident" from the Reason for Immunization dropdown menu.

If your pharmacy has not pre-registered residents for appointments, record the vaccination as a walk-in. Open the resident's profile, and click the "Check-In" button. 

Resources

• BCPhA ImmsBC data entry and payment—information specific to COVID-19 and flu vaccines
• ImmsBC guide on recording vaccines—step-by-step instructions with screenshots
• BC Immunization Manual, Part 4–Biological Products, COVID-19 vaccines
• BCPhA ImmsBC & Immunization Knowledge Base
• BCCDC's COVID-19 vaccine screening checklist (PDF)—for informed-consent conversation with a client and a health assessment

Publicly funded vaccine PINs