COVID-19 immunization
Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against severe illness from COVID-19.
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Last updated: November 7, 2023
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Get a COVID-19 vaccine
Getting immunized is the most effective way to stay safe 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.
These vaccines are free and available at pharmacies, health authority clinics and some primary care providers’ offices.
You can book COVID-19 and flu immunizations through the Get Vaccinated system at this time. If you need help scheduling your vaccines, call the Service BC call centre.
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. 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
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 | Translators are available
7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays 9 am to 5 pm.
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.
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 invitation link. Use the link to book your vaccine appointment online or by phone.
- If needed, you can easily reschedule or cancel your appointment online
- If you can't find your booking link, you can get a new one
3. What to expect at my appointment
Review COVID-19 vaccine safety information from HealthLink BC before your appointment. Plan to be at your appointment for 15 to 30 minutes.
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
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
Health Canada has a thorough approval process to make sure all the vaccines and medicines are safe.
Health Canada approved updated Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in September 2023 for people 6 months and older. These vaccines are available in B.C. and offer good protection against the new variants of COVID-19.
Find the latest approved vaccines in Canada.
I want a non-mRNA vaccine
Health Canada is currently reviewing an updated non-mRNA vaccine that will protect against the latest COVID-19 subvariant. Pending the outcome of this review, it may be available in B.C. later this year.
If you're 12 or older and prefer a non-mRNA vaccine, there is currently a limited supply of Novavax vaccine available in pharmacies.
If you would like Novavax, select the non-mRNA vaccine option when you book your appointment online or phone the call centre.
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.
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.
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. (7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays 9 am to 5 pm.)
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
You must be registered with the Get Vaccinated system to get an invitation. If you haven't yet received or can't find your invitation:
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 7 days a week, 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.
