Influenza (flu) immunizations program

Publication date: October 5, 2026

Influenza immunization appointments begin on October 13, 2026 and will continue this fall and winter. Everyone in B.C. who is registered in the Get Vaccinated system will get a notification when it's time to book an appointment. 

Stay up to date on your influenza immunizations

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to complications and even death.

The best way to prevent influenza is by getting a vaccine each year.

All B.C. residents 6 months and older can get an influenza immunization free of charge this fall and winter.

Influenza immunization is recommended for:

Adults 65 years and older – an enhanced influenza vaccine which offers better protection is available
Residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities
People who are immunocompromised or have a chronic illness
First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals
Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
People who are pregnant
People who can spread influenza to those at high risk, and people who provide essential community services, such as health care workers and first responders

If you have questions, check with your health care provider or phone the call centre.

Enhanced vaccines are available for seniors

To help create a stronger immune response, enhanced influenza vaccines are available for people 65 years and older.

Influenza can cause serious illness in children

Younger children are at higher risk from respiratory illnesses. To prevent serious illness, get your child immunized every year.

It's safe for your child to get their influenza vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

The vaccine is usually given as 1 dose in the fall each year. Children under 9 who have never had an influenza vaccine need 2 doses, 4 weeks between each dose. The second dose is important to improve their level of protection.

Children 2 years and older can receive their influenza vaccine as a nasal spray.

How to book your appointment

Notifications are going out from October to November 2026 to everyone in B.C. who is registered in the Get Vaccinated system. You’ll receive a notification when it's time to book your appointment.

If you have not received a notification by mid-November, you can call 1-833-838-2323 or log into the Get Vaccinated system to book your appointment.

Influenza appointments begin October 13, 2026 and will continue this fall and winter. More appointments will be added as vaccines arrive in B.C.

Book an appointment You’ll need your Personal Health Number (PHN) to book your appointment online.

Change or cancel your appointment

Update an appointmentYou’ll need your booking confirmation number and PHN to change an appointment online.

Add or update your contact information in Get Vaccinated

Add or update your contact information in the Get Vaccinated system to receive notifications when it’s time to book your COVID-19 and influenza immunization appointments

You can add or update information for yourself or someone else, like a parent, grandparent or child.

Manage contact information

Learn about influenza

Learn more about how to protect yourself from influenza:

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Find my Personal Health Number (PHN)

Each B.C. resident enrolled with the Medical Services Plan gets a unique lifetime identifier for health care called a Personal Health Number (PHN). Find your PHN on the back of your B.C. Driver’s Licence, BC Services Card or CareCard.

I do not have a Personal Health Number (PHN)

If you’ve entered the correct PHN but experience issues logging in, please contact the call centre at 1-833-838-2323 for assistance. If you do not have a PHN, call Health Insurance BC: 604-683-7151 (in Vancouver) or 1-800-663-7100 (toll-free elsewhere in B.C.).

I'm not a resident of B.C.

Community pharmacists can only immunize B.C. residents with a Personal Health Number. Non-B.C. residents can contact a local public health unit or call the provincial vaccine line 1-833-838-2323 (toll free) to ask about vaccine appointment availability.

Access my immunization record

You can access your immunization record online through Health Gateway.

If your immunization records are missing on Health Gateway, you can add them in the Provincial Immunization Registry.

I need personal health information and advice

If you still have questions about immunization in B.C., consult your doctor or health care provider.

If you don't have a family doctor, call 811.

Phone the call centre if you have questions about your influenza immunization options and need help booking an appointment. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about when you should get the vaccine.

Call: 1-833-838-2323

Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm (Pacific time). Saturdays from October 17 to November 7. Closed on statutory holidays | Help is available in multiple languages free of cost

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

For help in a language other than English, please say the name of your language when you call. The phone line supports 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

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.