Province Offering Influenza Vaccine To Those Six Months And Older

The Province is now offering up the influenza vaccine to British Columbians six months and older.

The Province is now offering up the influenza vaccine to British Columbians six months and older.

With the start of the respiratory illness season, the Province is preparing for the possibility of an influenza surge, following two years of low influenza rates due to public-health restrictions that reduced travel and socialization. It is also expected that COVID-19 cases will increase as more people gather indoors and travel.

Influenza vaccines became widely available yesterday, for free in participating pharmacies, health-authority clinics and some primary-care providers' offices throughout the province.

The vaccines have been available for seniors and other people at higher risk of severe illness or complications from influenza since October 3rd.

The Province is also making it more convenient for people to get vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19. Eligible people will also be able to safely get a flu shot and a COVID-19 fall booster at the same time.

B.C. will distribute more than 1.8 million doses of influenza vaccines for the 2022-23 influenza season, including more than 660,000 doses of enhanced influenza vaccines for seniors.

New this year, people registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system will automatically be sent an invitation to book their influenza immunization online, just like they can book their COVID-19 vaccines. Although booking through the Get Vaccinated system is the most efficient way to access an influenza vaccine, walk-ins continue to be available throughout the province.

You can also phone the provincial call centre at 1-833-838-2323 to book their influenza vaccine.