Vaccine notifications going out now in B.C. as respiratory illness season begins
Published 4:18 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie says some British Columbians received notifications on Monday that they’re already eligible for influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Henry said during a news conference in Victoria Wednesday (Oct. 7) that officials are already starting to see influenza circulating in the province and now is an important time to start booking appointments to get immunized.
The province has secured nearly two million doses of the 2026-27 influenza vaccine, and 1.5 million doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
The Health Ministry says that for the priority populations notified on Monday, appointments will start as early as Oct. 13. Notifications to the general public will expand through early November.
The ministry adds that while it’s not a requirement to be vaccinated in a health-care setting, “it is strongly recommended that people who provide essential community and health-care services receive the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.”
New this year is that seniors aged 75 and up and Indigenous people aged 60 and up are eligible for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for free as part of a time-limited program.
The Health Ministry says that at this time, only one dose of the RSV vaccine is recommended for long-term protection. It is available year-round.