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COVID-19 immunization

Publication date: August 2, 2024

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

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Stay up to date on COVID-19 immunizations

COVID-19 and flu vaccines will be available in the fall 2024 to help protect you during respiratory illness season. You will receive a notification when it is time to book your appointment.

You must be registered in the Get Vaccinated system to get a notification.

If you have questions about your eligibility for a COVID-19 immunization, phone the call centre. 

A COVID-19 immunization in the summer may delay when you can receive your fall dose.

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

Register in the Get Vaccinated system to receive your notification to book an appointment. Follow the instructions below. 

1. Register with the Get Vaccinated system

You can register yourself or someone else, like a parent, grandparent or child. We will never ask you for your Social Insurance Number, driver's licence number or banking and credit 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 regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages

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

Register online It takes 2 minutes

Other registration and booking options

 

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

If you 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 | Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays, 9 am to 5 pm. | Translators are available 

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

Telephone for the Deaf: Dial 711

Video Relay Services (VRS) provides sign language interpretation free 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. 

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.

Register even if you have already received a dose in another location.

All of your information will be kept private and will never be shared with other agencies or parts of government. 

2. Book my vaccine appointment

After you register, we will send you a booking notification link. Use the link to book your vaccine appointment online or by phone.

3. What to expect at my appointment

Review COVID-19 vaccine safety information from HealthLinkBC before your appointment. Plan to be at your appointment for 15 to 30 minutes. ​

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Arrive prepared

Get ready for your 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 the 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

​4. After my appointment 

Review COVID-19 immunization aftercare instructions from the BC Centre for Disease Control.  

Understand my vaccine options

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​Vaccines available in B.C.

Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure all the vaccines and medicines are safe. Health Canada approved updated COVID-19 vaccines in September 2023 for people 6 months and older. These vaccines offer good protection against COVID-19 variants.

mRNA vaccines are currently available in B.C. More information on updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines, including an updated non-mRNA vaccine, will be available in fall 2024.

Find the latest approved vaccines in Canada. 

 

I want a non-mRNA vaccine

More information on updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines, including an updated non-mRNA vaccine, will be available in fall 2024.

If you have questions, phone the call centre.

 

Vaccines for children and youth

COVID-19 vaccines are an important part of your child's routine immunization schedule.

Your child can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other childhood vaccines, including the influenza (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 the appointment.

Consent for a child can be provided by a:

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

Only one parent, legal guardian or foster parent is 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 an appointment but you still have symptoms, reschedule for when you will be fully recovered.

 

Other considerations

Everyone who is eligible can be safely immunized against COVID-19, although a very small number of people may need to delay vaccination if they have severe allergies to parts of the vaccine.

If you have concerns, discuss with your health care provider about how you can safely receive the vaccines. 

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

 

My immunization record

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

Online: 

Register for Health Gateway to view or update your immunization records and download your proof of vaccination documents.

You need a 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.

Proof of vaccination is no longer required to access businesses, events and services in B.C.

Update my record

If you were immunized outside B.C., you should add your records to the Provincial Immunization Registry. This helps to ensure that you get notified when it's time to book your next appointment.

Submit or update your immunization records.

Resources

Vaccine safety

Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure all the vaccines and medicines we take are safe.

  • Vaccines are tested extensively before being approved for use
  • Health Canada continues to monitor for vaccine safety
  • No major safety concerns have been identified in the data Health Canada reviewed

Review Health Canada guidance on COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects.

I need help

 

I don't have my notification

You must be registered with the Get Vaccinated system to get a notification. If you haven't yet received or can't find your notification:

Re-send your booking link

Phone the call centre if you have questions about your COVID-19 immunization options and need help booking an appointment. Phone agents can't answer questions about the best timing for your next dose. 

Call: 1-833-838-2323 

Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays, 9 am to 5 pm | Translators are available 

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

Telephone for the Deaf: Dial 711

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