Immunizations for children new to BC

Try contacting your doctor's office or clinic in your home country or province and ask that they send your child's records to you. Without an immunization record (or proof of immunity to disease), a person is considered unimmunized and unprotected and should generally be vaccinated (or revaccinated) to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines.

 

Your child can get immunized at your local health unit. Some doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists also give vaccines. Pharmacists only immunize children 4 and older (except for the nasal spray influenza (flu) vaccine that they can give to children 2 years and older).

 

Vaccines that are part of the recommended schedule for children in BC are free. If you don’t have health insurance under BC’s Medical Service Plan (MSP), you may be charged a fee to have a vaccine given at a doctor’s office or pharmacy. You will not be charged this fee at your local health unit.

 

It’s important to keep your child’s vaccine records in a safe place. You may be asked to provide immunization records when registering for daycare, school, summer camps, university or college, or for specific jobs and travel. You can use the CANImmunize App to keep track of your family’s immunizations. The App is free. 

 

If you will be travelling back to your home country or anywhere outside of Canada, it’s important to contact a travel clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel. They will give advice on any other vaccines your family may need. 

 

• Call your local health unit to speak with a public health nurse.
• Call your health care provider.
• Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to speak with a nurse. Interpreting services may be available. Ask for a translator if you need one.