2022 Flu Vaccines in B.C. pharmacies

Getting your flu shot at your local B.C. pharmacy

Influenza vaccines will be available at community pharmacies across British Columbia starting the week of Oct. 11, 2022

People in long-term care and assisted-living facilities, along with others at risk, will be able to get their influenza vaccine starting the week of Oct. 3.

This year, all seniors older than 65 are eligible for an enhanced influenza vaccine, which provides better protection in seniors against the flu compared to standard-dose vaccines.

B.C.'s community pharmacists can administer seasonal flu shots to British Columbians ages 4 and older, and flu immunizations by intranasal route to children 2 years and older.

Eligible people can get an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 fall booster at the same time.

This year, flu vaccines will be booked through the provincial government's Get Vaccinated system, instead of booking through pharmacies as the public has done in the past.

flu booking

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I book my influenza vaccine?
This year, flu vaccines will be booked through the provincial government's Get Vaccinated system, instead of booking through pharmacies as the public has done in the past.

Please use the Get Vaccinated link to register for your vaccine instead of calling a pharmacy for an appointment. All bookings will be made through the Get Vaccinated system.

2. Can my whole family, including my children, get our flu shot at my pharmacy?
Yes, if your children are ages 4 and older, they can be vaccinated at your local community pharmacy. Children younger than 4 years of age can be vaccinated at their local public health clinic or health provider's office.

The eligibility criteria for publicly funded influenza vaccine is universal, and therefore “anyone else who wishes to reduce their risk of influenza” can receive the free publicly-funded flu vaccine.

3. My child doesn't like needles, can they get the nasal vaccine at a pharmacy? 
FluMist® can be administered to children 2 years of age and older from a pharmacist.
There will be a limited amount of FluMist® Quadrivalent intranasal vaccine at community pharmacies. 

4. I'm over the age of 65, can I get the vaccine that's recommended for seniors at my pharmacy?
If you are aged 65 and older and living in the community, you are eligible for the publicly funded vaccine FLUAD®, which will be available at community pharmacies.

FLUZONE® High-Dose Quadrivalent (also referred to as FLUZONE® HD) will be provided to residents in Long Term Care and Assisted Living facilities and those in Indigenous communities ages 65 and older. If you are an individual aged 65 and older that does not meet the previous critieria, FLUZONE® HD may be available for purchase from some community pharmacies. Please contact your local pharmacy about availability of FLUZONE® HD.

For more information on the two vaccines, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has created a document about Influenza vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older.

5. I recently received my COVID-19 vaccination. Do I need to wait to get my flu shot?
There is no need to wait. COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including influenza vaccines. 

6. Is it possible to get my COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same appointment?
Eligible people can get an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 fall booster at the same time.

 

Flu information for pharmacists

Resources for pharmacists for the 2022/2023 flu season can be found here.