Healthy habits for respiratory illness season

Practice healthy habits this respiratory illness season to help protect yourself, your community and B.C.’s health care system.

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Last updated: November 7, 2023

On this page: 

• Practice healthy habits
• Book your influenza and COVID-19 immunizations at the same time
• Respiratory illness resources
• I have questions

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Practice healthy habits

Help protect yourself and those around you from illnesses this respiratory season by following healthy habits.

Immunizations

It's important to keep your immunizations up to date for you and your family. Get your updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Respiratory illness etiquette

Even if you don’t feel sick, remember to:

• Clean your hands often using soap and warm water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Sneeze or cough into your elbow instead of your hands

If you're feeling sick

• Monitor your symptoms
• Stay at home. You could spread sickness to others, especially if you have a fever, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea
• If you have COVID-19, stay at home until your fever has resolved and you feel well enough to participate in daily activities
• Stay away from people at higher risk of serious illness
• If you must leave your home, consider wearing a mask, especially when in indoor spaces
  • Medical masks are required in some health care settings

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Book your influenza and COVID-19 immunizations at the same time

Getting immunized helps protect yourself, your community and B.C.’s health care system this respiratory illness season.

Everyone 6 months and older can get an influenza (flu) and updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Invitations have now been sent by email or text message to all people registered in the Get Vaccinated system. The invite includes a direct link to book an appointment to receive your COVID-19 vaccine, your influenza vaccine, or both, depending on when you received your last dose.

Vaccines are free and available at pharmacies, health authority clinics and some primary-care providers’ offices.

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

Register in the Get Vaccinated system to receive your invitation to book an appointment.

You can book COVID-19 and flu immunizations through the Get Vaccinated system at this time. 

If you need help scheduling your vaccines Call: 1-833-838-23237 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays 9 am to 5 pm.

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Respiratory illness resources

• Flu immunization
• COVID-19 immunization
• Testing and treatment
• COVID-19 guidance in B.C.

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