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Immunizations

Publication date: July 10, 2025

Immunization, a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease by receiving a vaccine, is important for people of all ages. It helps your immune system recognize and quickly kill bacteria and viruses, which can cause serious illness or death.

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Immunizations in B.C.

Immunizations for adults and children are provided at community pharmacies, public health units, community health centres, and primary care clinics throughout the province.

Learn more about immunizations at HealthLink BC:

Measles in B.C.

Measles is making a resurgence in Canada, particularly among those who are not vaccinated or do not have immunity to measles. Review your immunization records on Health Gateway, and if needed, book an appointment to get the measles vaccine free of charge.

Current measles situation

Learn more about the current measles situation in B.C. and Canada and how to keep you and your community safe:

If you may have been exposed to measles

  • Use the measles self-assessment tool if you were exposed to measles to review your immunization history, symptoms, possible risk factors and get guidance on next steps. The tool does not collect any personal information
  • Monitor your symptoms if you have recently travelled or have been exposed to the virus, and isolate if you are sick
  • Contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1
  • Learn more about measles exposure at HealthLink BC

Measles immunizations in B.C.

Immunization is the best way to protect yourself from measles.

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B.C.’s routine measles immunization program 

In B.C., the measles vaccine is routinely given to children as a series of 2 doses.

 

Get an early or catch-up dose free of charge

Young children may need an early dose before travelling. Older children and adults who need protection against measles, mumps or rubella can also receive catch-up doses.

If someone is unsure of their immunization status, they should contact their health-care provider. It is safe to have an additional dose of measles vaccine.

Visit HealthLink BC's Understanding measles page for more information on eligibility.

Book my measles vaccine appointment 

  • People can get free measles vaccines from their public health unit or community health centre. Some doctors and nurse practitioners also offer vaccines to infants, children and adults. Call your health care provider to make an appointment
  • Children 4 years and older, as well as adults, can be vaccinated at a pharmacy. To find a BC pharmacy with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine: BC Pharmacy Association: MMR Vaccine Clinic Locator
  • In First Nations communities, people can also be immunized by their community health nurse at their community health centre or nursing station

COVID-19 and influenza (flu) immunizations

You will be notified through the Get Vaccinated system when you are eligible to book your next COVID-19 and flu appointments. 

Flu 

Learn more about eligibility and how to stay up to date on your influenza (flu) vaccine.

​COVID-19

Learn more about eligibility, vaccine options and how to stay up to date on your COVID-19 immunization.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

The HPV vaccine is safe and helps prevent cancers caused by HPV. As part of B.C.’s school immunization program, students are offered the vaccine in grade 6 and through multi-grade catch-up clinics.

B.C. is expanding who can access the HPV vaccine for free. The number of doses needed for full immunization is also being reduced. These changes are in line with updated recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and B.C.’s immunization experts.

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Eligibility for free HPV vaccine in B.C.

The vaccine is free for people: 

  • 9 to 26 years old 
  • 27 to 45 years old who:  
    • Are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 
    • Self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community, including Two-Spirit, transgender and non-binary people (including those who are not yet sexually active or are questioning their sexual orientation)
  • Who require follow up treatment after a colposcopy (a procedure to check for abnormal areas on the cervix and vagina). For example, a follow up treatment might include a loop electrosurgical excision procedure or LEEP. The treatment must have been on or after July 31, 2025
 

Number of HPV vaccine doses

The number of doses depends on your age and whether you are at increased risk of HPV: 

  • One dose for people ages 9 to 20 years 
  • Two-dose series over 6 months for people aged 21 and older 
  • Three-dose series for people who are immunocompromised

B.C.'s school immunization program will use the updated dose schedule starting September 2025.  

People turning 27 and those newly eligible who are turning 46 in 2025 will have a grace period until the end of the year to start their free HPV immunization. All doses given as part of the series will be covered. 

Get the HPV vaccine (HealthLink BC)

Book an HPV vaccine appointment

If you missed getting a dose in school, contact a pharmacy, public health unit, community health centre or your primary care provider to book an appointment. 

Access and update my immunization records

Access my records

Register for Health Gateway to view or download your immunization records. Children over the age of 12 need their own account. 

Update my records

If you check Health Gateway and your records are missing, they can be entered into the electronic Provincial Immunization Registry. 

 

If your records are not on Health Gateway

  • You may have received a paper record at the time of immunization. For example, in B.C., immunizations may be recorded in the Child Health Passport
  • Contact the health care provider that gave the vaccines if you received your immunization at a primary care clinic
  • Contact the community health nurse if the vaccines were given in a First Nations community
  • If you’ve moved to B.C. from another province or country, contact the immunization provider or local public health unit and ask to have the records sent to you

Travel immunizations 

If you’re planning to travel outside of Canada, you may need additional immunizations depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions. 

Review immunization recommendations by destination on the Government of Canada website.

I need help

Phone the BC Vaccine Line to:

Call: 1-833-838-2323 

Monday - 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

Translators services are available in more than 220 languages, including:

  • 國粵語
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
  • فارسی
  • Français
  • Español

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

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