Home/Health/Managing your health/Respiratory illnesses/Viral respiratory illness season

Viral respiratory illness season

Publication date: August 13, 2026

COVID-19 and influenza vaccines will be available in fall 2026 to help protect you during viral respiratory illness season. If it is recommended that you get immunized, you will receive a notification through the Get Vaccinated system when it's time to book your appointment. 

English | 繁體中文 | 简体中文 | Français | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ | Tagalog

On this page 

How to get immunized

You can get immunized at participating pharmacies, public health clinics and some primary-care providers' offices throughout the province.

If you are registered with the Get Vaccinated system, and if a COVID-19 or influenza vaccine is recommended for you, you will receive a notification when it's time to book your immunization. If this is your first time booking an appointment online, you can enter your contact information in the system to receive notifications in the future. 

In addition to booking your appointment online, you can phone the call centre at 1-833-838-2323 to book your appointment or check with a local pharmacy if they have walk-in appointments.

Viral respiratory illness information

In fall and winter, we see more viral respiratory illnesses spreading in our communities, as the weather gets cooler and people spend more time indoors. Respiratory viruses can cause serious health complications and even death. Getting immunized is the best way to protect yourself and those close to you. Learn more about viral respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID-19 and pneumonia:

I have questions ​

Expand All | Collapse All
 

I haven’t received a COVID-19 or influenza immunization in B.C

Register online

You will need a Personal Health Number (PHN) to book your appointment and add your contact information to get notifications in the future. Each B.C. resident enrolled with the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is given a PHN for health care. Find your PHN on the back of your driver’s license, your BC Services Card or CareCard.

If you don't have a PHN, call Health Insurance BC: 604-683-7151 (in Vancouver) or 1-800-663-7100 (toll-free elsewhere in B.C.)

 

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 8-1-1.

 

I need help booking my appointment

Call: 1-833-838-2323

Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Closed on statutory holidays | Translators are available

Telephone for people who are deaf or hard of hearing : Dial 7-1-1

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

 

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.

Phone the call centre if you have questions about your COVID-19 or influenza (flu) 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). 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