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FAQ

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General immunization

What vaccines do adults need?
Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives to protect against serious diseases. Visit the link below to find out what vaccines are recommended for adults. 
 
 
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Where can I buy numbing cream for my child to help reduce pain with immunization?

You can buy numbing creams and patches at your local pharmacy. You do not need a prescription from your health care provider to buy them. Read about numbing creams and patches for immunization.

 
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My child is afraid of needles. How can I make the immunization experience easier for my child?

Use these tips to help your child have a more positive immunization experience. 

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Why aren't all vaccines free in BC?
 
In BC, the Ministry of Health makes decisions to fund vaccine programs based on recommendations from the Communicable Disease Policy Advisory Committee. This expert scientific committee looks at the following: 
 
  • Statements issued by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
  • The published literature (studies about certain vaccines and diseases).
  • The product monograph (information about the vaccine from the manufacturer).
  • Provincial epidemiology (how often the disease occurs in different groups of people in the province).
  • Available health economic analyses (an analysis of the costs and benefits of the vaccine).
Recommendations for new vaccine programs are then prioritized with other public health initiatives. As a result, not all vaccines approved for use in Canada are funded by the provincial government. 
 
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Immunization records

How do I find my immunization records?
You can access, download, and print immunization records through Health Gateway.
 
Health Gateway only shows immunizations that are in the Provincial Immunization Registry; this includes immunizations given at public health clinics and pharmacies in BC. It does not show immunizations given by other health care providers (i.e., family doctors or nurse practitioners) or travel clinics.
 
Find tips on locating immunization records that are not in Health Gateway on our immunization records page.
 
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How can I get a copy of my child's immunization record?

You can find information on accessing immunization records on our immunization records page. 

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Where to get immunized

Where can I get my child immunized?
Visit the link below for information on where children can get immunized. 
 
 
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Where can adults get vaccines?
Visit the link below for information on where adults can get immunized. 
 
 
 
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Do I need an appointment at a pharmacy to get immunized, or can I walk in?

Appointments are usually needed to get immunized; however, some pharmacies provide vaccines on a walk-in basis. It’s best to give your local pharmacy a call to find out.

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Immunization schedules

I didn't immunize my child but have changed my mind. Is it too late to catch up?

For most vaccines, it’s never too late to catch up. There is a catch-up schedule that health care providers use to ensure children are protected as soon as possible.

You can contact your local health unit or community health centre to make an appointment for your child to get caught up. 

 

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If my child missed getting a vaccine, do they need to start the series over again?

No. If your child missed a dose of vaccine, they do not need to start the whole series over again. Your child can pick up where they left off, regardless of the time that has passed between doses. 

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Vaccine safety

Do vaccines cause side effects?
Vaccines are among the safest medical products available, but like any medicine or supplement (including vitamins), vaccines can cause side effects. Many people who receive vaccines have no side effects at all. For those who do, the side effects are usually minor and only last a day or two. Serious side effects are very rare. 
 
 
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How do we know vaccines are safe?
Only vaccines that are proven safe, effective, and of high quality are approved for use in Canada. 
 
Here are some important things to know about vaccine safety:
 
  • The vaccine approval process is more stringent than most drugs available in Canada.
  • It can take up to ten years or longer for a vaccine to be developed, tested, and approved by Health Canada. Occasionally, the process can be expedited (happen more quickly) if a vaccine is urgently needed (for example, during a pandemic). No safety steps are skipped in these cases, and the vaccine must meet all the same safety requirements. An example is COVID-19 vaccines. 
  • Health Canada only approves a vaccine if it is safe, works, meets manufacturing standards, and the benefits outweigh the risks.
  • Because vaccines are given to healthy people, including children, they are held to the highest safety standard—even higher than most drugs used for treatment. 
  • Like any medicine or supplement (including vitamins), vaccines can cause side effects. Usually vaccine side effects are minor, such as a sore arm or mild fever, and go away quickly. Many people who receive vaccines have no side effects at all. Serious side effects are very rare. 
  • A vaccine’s safety is continuously monitored following its approval. 
  • Canada has several advanced systems in place (at the local, provincial, and national levels) to carefully monitor the safety of vaccines and detect any safety concerns. 
  • In the rare event that a lot (batch) of vaccines result in an unexpected side effect, these systems can ensure that the rest is not used.

Learn about how vaccines are tested, approved, and monitored. 

Learn about vaccine side effects. 

 

 
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Is it safe for my child to get more than one vaccine at the same time?
Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit is safe and ensures your child is protected as quickly as possible during their early years of life when they are most at risk. Getting several vaccines at the same time also means fewer appointments and periods of pain and discomfort for your child, which may reduce your child’s risk of developing needle fears. 
 
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Can getting multiple vaccines at the same time overwhelm my baby's immune system?
No. Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit will not overwhelm your baby’s immune system. It’s safe, and makes sure your baby is protected sooner rather than later. 
 
  • Every day, a healthy infant’s immune system successfully fights off millions of germs (antigens) they come across in their surroundings.
  • Vaccines contain only a tiny fraction of the antigens (germs) that infants come across every day.
  • Infants are born with thousands of antibodies that provide protection. They are ready to fight against many different diseases. They are also born with the immune cells that are needed to make antibodies in response to getting many vaccines at one time.
  • Theoretically, infants have the capacity to produce one billion antibodies. So, it is estimated that they could handle up to 10,000 vaccines at any one time.
  • Vaccines do not overwhelm or weaken a child’s immune system. Instead, they make it stronger by providing protection against diseases.
  • Even combination vaccines, which protect against multiple diseases, are easy for your child’s immune system to handle.
As one doctor put it, “Worrying about too many vaccines is like worrying about a thimble of water getting you wet when you are swimming in an ocean.”
 
Listen to Dr. Paul Offit MD, talk about whether babies get too many vaccines.
 

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Do vaccines cause chronic illness or other long-term health problems?
  • There is no evidence that vaccines cause health problems such as autism, asthma, SIDS, or autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
  • We learn about a vaccine’s safety during clinical trials before it is approved and monitor it’s safety continually as millions of doses are administered after its approval.
  • We’ve been monitoring the safety of vaccines for more than 50 years and we can say that the chance a vaccine will cause unexpected long-term health problems is extremely low. 
 
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Vaccine ingredients

Are the ingredients in vaccines safe?
Vaccine ingredients have been carefully studied for a long time and are safe in the small amounts used. You may have heard or read that some vaccine ingredients are harmful, but this is true only at much higher amounts than those found in vaccines. Any substance, even water, can be harmful at a high dose. 
 
 
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Where can I find a list of the ingredients in each vaccine?
 
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COVID-19 vaccine

I did not get an invitation to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, I deleted the invite, I need to reschedule an appointment, I did not receive a booking confirmation, or I need help booking an appointment. What should I do?
You must be registered with the Get Vaccinated system to get an invitation. If you haven't yet received or can't find your invitation, check that your contact information is up to date.
 
If you need help booking an appointment or have other questions about your appointment, call 1-833-838-2323. 
 
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Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
COVID-19 vaccines can be safely given at the same time or any time before or after any other live or inactivated vaccine. This includes the influenza vaccine. 
 
If you are getting a COVID-19 vaccine you do not need to delay getting an influenza vaccine. 
 
If you get any two vaccines at the same time or close together the health care provider will usually administer the vaccines in different arms/limbs.
 
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Where can I find a list of the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use in Canada?

The Government of Canada website lists the ingredients in each COVID-19 vaccine. Click on the vaccine name and you will be taken to a page that lists the ingredients in that vaccine. Vaccine ingredients vary by manufacturer. 

 

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Do COVID-19 vaccines contain fetal cells? Were abortions performed to make the vaccines?
Vaccines do not contain fetal cells, and no abortions are performed to make vaccines. This includes COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
Some vaccines are made by growing the vaccine viruses in human fetal cell lines. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine. 
 
Fetal cell lines are used to test and develop many common over-the-counter and prescribed medications, including antacids and cold medications.
 
Are COVID-19 vaccines made using fetal cell lines?
 
  • Fetal cell lines were used to make the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine and the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine. 
  • Fetal cell lines were not used to make the Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. However, the cell lines were used in the very early stages of research and development of these vaccines to test 'proof of concept’ (to test that the vaccines could work).
What fetal cell lines are used? 
 
  • The AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine uses the HEK 293 fetal cell line, and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine uses the PER.C6 fetal cell line. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine. 
  • The Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccines used the fetal cell line HEK 293 in the very early stages of research and development. It was not used to make these vaccines. 
  • The HEK 293 and PER.C6 fetal cell lines descend from cells taken from fetuses aborted in the 1970s and 1980s. The fetuses were not aborted to make vaccines.
Why are fetal cell lines used?
 

Fetal cell lines are used with some vaccines because viruses need to be grown in cells and human cells are often better than animal cells at supporting the growth of human viruses. 

Vaccine manufacturers may use these fetal cell lines during the following two phases:  
 
  • Research and development 
  • Production and manufacturing  
Fetal cell lines are used in scientific and medical research and in the research and development of most medical products available today.
 
What are fetal cell lines?
 
Fetal cell lines are cells that are grown in a laboratory. They descend from cells taken from fetuses aborted in the 1970s and 1980s that have since multiplied into many new cells over the past four or five decades, creating the fetal cell lines. The fetuses were not aborted to make vaccines. Current fetal cell lines are thousands of generations removed from the original fetal tissue. They do not contain any tissue from a fetus. 
 

What does the Catholic church say about the use of fetal cell lines in vaccines?

The Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life declared in 2005 and reaffirmed in 2017 that in the absence of alternatives, Catholics could, in good conscience, receive vaccines made using historical human fetal cell lines. In December 2020, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith provided a note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines.
 
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Is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I use marijuana/cannabis?
Yes, people who use any type of marijuana or cannabis can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
However, when it’s time for your appointment, we recommend that you not be high. This is not because of a vaccine safety concern (that marijuana interferes with the vaccine) but because the healthcare provider needs your informed consent before giving vaccines. Marijuana may impair (lessen) your ability to fully understand the health information and to ask questions.
 
There is emerging evidence suggesting that smoking can have negative consequences on a person's respiratory system and immune competence, so it’s even more important to get a COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself from the virus if you smoke.
 
ImmunizeBC does not have specific recommendations around cannabis use after any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccines. This is because there are no studies around cannabis use and the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. 
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Influenza vaccine

I am not a resident of BC. How do I get an influenza (flu) vaccine?

You can book your influenza vaccine at a pharmacy for a fee. 

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Is it okay for household contacts of pregnant people to get the live-attenuated influenza (flu) vaccine (FluMist®)?
Yes. Household contacts of pregnant people should receive all routine vaccines, including live vaccines, such as the live-attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist®). There is no need for pregnant people to avoid contact with people who recently got a live-attenuated influenza vaccine. However, pregnant people should not get the live-attenuated influenza vaccine; they should get the inactivated influenza vaccine.
 
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I did not get an invitation to book an influenza (flu) vaccine appointment, I deleted the invite, I need to reschedule an appointment, I did not receive a booking confirmation, or I need help booking an appointment. What should I do?
You must be registered with the Get Vaccinated system to get an invitation. If you haven't yet received or can't find your invitation, check that your contact information is up to date.
 
If you need help booking an appointment or have other questions about your appointment, call 1-833-838-2323. 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm. Statutory holidays: 9 am to 5 pm.
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Will the nasal spray influenza (flu) vaccine be available for kids this year?

Yes, the FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT vaccine (given as a nasal spray) is available for children and youth 2-17 years of age.

This vaccine is a good option for children 2 years of age and older, especially those with needle fear and anxiety. In children, FLUMIST® provides similar protection against influenza as the inactivated influenza vaccines.

When booking an appointment through the Get Vaccinated system, you should have the option of selecting “nasal spray” and only clinics offering the nasal spray (Flumist) vaccine should appear.
 

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Where can I get an influenza vaccine?
Influenza vaccines are available at a wide variety of locations across the province, including many pharmacies, health authority clinics, and some primary-care providers’ offices.
 
The best way to get an influenza vaccine is to book an appointment. If you are already registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system, you will automatically receive an invitation to book your influenza vaccine online when it's time to book your appointment. If you are not yet registered with the Get Vaccinated system, please register.
 
Although booking through the Get Vaccinated system is the most efficient way to access the vaccines, people can also phone the provincial call centre toll-free at 1 833 838-2323 to book their influenza vaccine. 
 
People living in First Nations communities can contact their community health centre or nursing station to find out how to book an influenza vaccine appointment.
 
Please note: Pharmacists can vaccinate children who are 4 years of age and older with the inactivated influenza vaccine given by injection and 2 years of age and older with the live-attenuated influenza vaccine given as a nasal spray. 
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When are influenza vaccines available in BC?
In BC, influenza (flu) vaccines are usually available in October. 
 
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I just recovered from COVID-19. Should I wait to get my influenza (flu) vaccine?
You can get the influenza (flu) vaccine any time after having COVID-19. If you are sick or have symptoms like cough or fever, stay home and wait until you feel better to get your vaccine.  
 
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Can I get the influenza vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

Influenza vaccines can be safely given at the same time or any time before or after other vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

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Can I get the influenza vaccine the same day as a TB skin test?
The influenza vaccine can be given at the same time or at any time before or after a TB skin test (Mantoux test) is done. Influenza vaccines will not affect the result of the TB test. 
 
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HPV vaccine

I am temporarily in another province. Can I get the HPV vaccine for free?

There is an agreement across Canada to provide immunization services to any out-of-province visitor according to that province’s immunization schedule. That means if you are eligible for the HPV vaccine in the province you are in, you would be able to get it for free. You can check with the local public health unit about eligibility.

For information about the HPV vaccine and BC’s HPV vaccine program, visit our HPV page. 
 

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I got the HPV4 vaccine. Can I get the HPV9 vaccine? I hear it covers more strains.
You’re right - the HPV9 vaccine covers 5 more strains than the HPV4 vaccine covered. Both the HPV4 and HPV9 vaccines protect against the 2 strains of HPV (16 & 18) that cause about 70% of cervical cancers and 80% of cases of anal cancer. Both vaccines also protect against the 2 strains that cause about 90% of genital warts (6 & 11). The HPV9 vaccine protects against 5 additional strains (31, 33, 45, 52 & 58) that cause 15% to 20% of cervical cancers and 11% of anal cancers in females and 4% in males. 
 
If you’ve had the HPV4 vaccine, you can get the HPV9 vaccine to be protected against these additional strains. Most people who have had an HPV4 series will have to purchase the HPV9 vaccine. The vaccine can be purchased at most pharmacies or travel clinics. Some health plans cover the cost of the vaccine; check with your provider. A complete HPV9 vaccine series (3 doses for those 15 and older) is recommended to ensure protection against the 5 additional types. You should wait at least 6 months after completing the HPV4 series to get the HPV9 vaccine.
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Do I need cervical screening if I've been vaccinated for HPV?

It is important for people who have a cervix to follow current BC cervical screening guidelines because the HPV vaccine protects against most but not all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

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Is the HPV vaccine free for males who have sex with males?
The HPV9 vaccine is recommended and free for males 9 to 26 years of age who have sex with males, including those who may not yet be sexually active and are questioning their sexual orientation. The vaccine is recommended but not free for males 27 years of age and older who have sex with males. 
 
People who aren’t eligible for the free HPV vaccine can buy it at most pharmacies, travel clinics, and some sexual health clinics. Some health insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine; check with your insurance provider to find out if your plan does.
 
For more information on the HPV vaccine, including who the vaccine is recommended for and who it is free for, visit our HPV vaccine page. 
 
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Should I get the HPV vaccine if I'm already sexually active?

It is best to get immunized before becoming sexually active and coming in contact with HPV because the vaccines prevent infection but do not clear it. However, a person can still benefit from immunization if they are already sexually active. This is because the likelihood they have been exposed to all types of HPV contained in the vaccine is low. 

 

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Why are HPV vaccines given at such a young age?
HPV vaccines are routinely given in Grade 6 for two reasons:
 

1. Preteens make more antibodies after getting the vaccine than older teens or adults. This provides long-lasting protection against HPV.

2. The vaccine is best given before sexual activity begins (and before any exposure to HPV). Most people who become infected with HPV first catch it within 2 to 5 years of becoming sexually active, so it is important to vaccinate them before they begin sexual activity. 
 
Anyone who engages in any kind of sexual activity involving oral or genital contact can get HPV. Sexual intercourse is not necessary to get infected.
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Do HPV vaccines promote earlier sexual activity?

There is no evidence that being vaccinated against HPV encourages earlier sexual activity.  What’s more, a study published in October 2018 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that since the implementation of the school-based HPV vaccination program in BC, sexual risk behaviours reported by adolescent girls have either reduced or stayed the same. These findings contribute evidence against any association between HPV vaccination and risky sexual behaviours.

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Are HPV vaccines safe?
Yes. HPV vaccines are safe. Vaccines are approved for use in Canada only if they meet very strict standards for safety and effectiveness. The HPV vaccine was well studied in clinical trials and was not approved for use in Canada until the studies showed that it was safe and effective. Since approval, hundreds of millions of doses of HPV vaccines have been given worldwide. Vaccine safety monitoring has continued to show that the HPV vaccine is safe. 
 
Common reactions to the HPV vaccine are similar to reactions from other vaccines and include redness, swelling, and soreness in the arm where the vaccine was given. Fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint ache may also occur. As with other vaccines, fainting has occurred following HPV vaccination. Fainting can occur with any medical procedure—not just the HPV vaccine—and people recover quickly.
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Can the HPV vaccine can cause infertility?

Extensive research has shown no evidence that the HPV vaccine can cause infertility. However, HPV cancers (that the vaccine protects against) can lead to issues with fertility. 

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Where can I get the HPV vaccine? I am not eligible for the free one.

Anyone not eligible for a free HPV vaccine can buy it at most pharmacies and travel clinics. Options for Sexual Health clinics also provide the HPV vaccine in some communities. Find an Options for Sexual Health clinic near you. 

You do not need a prescription to buy the vaccine; however, some insurance health plans may cover the cost of the vaccine and may require a prescription for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider.

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Shingles vaccines

Where can I get the Shingles vaccine? How much does it cost?
You can get the shingles vaccine, Shingrix®, at most pharmacies and travel clinics. It costs about $160/dose. 
 
Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine. Check with your insurance provider. 
 
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I have had shingles disease. Do I still need to get the vaccine?

The Shingrix vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older, including those who had shingles disease. 

If you had shingles in the past, getting the vaccine can help prevent future occurrences of the disease.

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It's been more than six months since my first dose of Shingrix. Is it too late to get the second shot? Do I have to restart my vaccine series?
When more than six months have passed since your first Shingrix vaccination, you should get the second dose as soon as possible. You do not need to restart the vaccine series. Two doses of Shingrix ensure optimal protection.  
 
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If I had the Zostavax II vaccine, do I need the Shingrix vaccine?
Shingrix is recommended for people 50 years of age and older to prevent shingles, including those previously immunized with the live zoster vaccine (Zostavax II). You should wait at least 1 year before getting Shingrix if you received Zostavax II.
 
 
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Travel vaccines

Where can I get travel vaccines?
Travel vaccines are available from travel health clinics and many pharmacies. You must go to a designated yellow fever vaccination centre for the yellow fever vaccine. There is a charge for most travel vaccines. 
 
You have to pay for most travel vaccines. 
 
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