Flu Shot (BC)

BC Update: October 1, 2025

The BC public flu campaign will begin on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Appointment booking info below.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee for Immunization (NACI) recommends that the influenza vaccine should be offered annually to anyone 6 months of age and older who does not have a contradiction to the vaccine.

Options to schedule an appointment for Flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines:

• Select the online link in your BC Get Vaccinated invitation email or text message

• search by clinic name to find your local London Drugs

• starting October 7, invitations will be sent over several weeks by priority groups starting with individuals at risk of serious illness, Indigenous peoples, people 65 years and older, children, and healthcare workers.

• Call BC Get Vaccinated 1-833-838-2323

• Drop-in appointments may be available on scheduled clinic days

**Walk-in requests may be accommodated subject to availability**

To receive a public (free) flu vaccine at the pharmacy individuals must be:

• A resident of BC with a valid BC Services Card

• Registered with the BC Get Vaccinated System

• 4 years of age and older for injectable flu vaccine

  • Children 6 months to 3 years can receive a flu vaccine at public health clinics

• 2 years to 59 years of age for nasal spray flu vaccine (limited availability)

Visitors to BC or individuals without a valid BC Services Card

Call BC Get Vaccinated 1-833-838-2323 to enquire about appointment availability and locations

Children receiving their first flu vaccine this year:

The flu vaccine is usually given as a single dose each flu season starting in October of each year. Children under 9 years of age who have never had a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine require 2 doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given 4 weeks after the first dose. Older children only need one dose.

Available Flu Vaccines

• Ages 4 to 64 years – Public (free) standard flu vaccine

• Ages 65 years and older

  • Public (free) – Fluad® adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine

  • Private pay – Fluzone® High Dose trivalent flu vaccine

• Needleless option for ages 2 to 59 years

  • Flumist® - public (free) live-attenuated trivalent nasal spray flu vaccine (limited supply available)

High Dose Flu Vaccine (Fluzone® HD) - Ages 65 years and older **PRIVATE PAY**

• Fluzone® HD is not included in the 2025-2026 BC free public flu vaccine program but will be available for purchase at the pharmacy if preferred. Private insurance coverage may be available.

• Fluzone® HD vaccine is a trivalent flu vaccine that contains four times the amount of influenza antigen compared to a standard dose flu vaccine for an enhanced immune response in adults 65 years and older.

• Appointments for Fluzone® HD can be booked at London Drugs - Pharmacy Appointments or by speaking to a pharmacy team member at your local London Drugs.

• Public (free) flu vaccines for people age 65 years and over in BC will be Fluad®, an enhanced trivalent flu vaccine that includes an adjuvant to boost the immune response. Both vaccines are recommended for adults age 65 years and older.

• If you have questions about your flu vaccine options, speak to a London Drugs pharmacist.

BC Public Health Resources

• Access your BC Health Records at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/health-gateway

• Influenza Vaccines: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-library/health-features/influenza-flu-season

Common Questions:

Can visitors to BC or individuals without a BC Services Card get a flu or COVID vaccine at the pharmacy? Visitors, including Canadians from other provinces, are not eligible for free public flu or COVID-19 vaccines at community pharmacies. Call BC Get Vaccinated at 1-833-838-2323 to ask about available appointments at a public health clinic. Restrictions apply. Private pay flu and COVID-19 vaccines may be available to purchase at the pharmacy by special order. Speak to a pharmacist for more information. I didn’t get a booking link from BC Get Vaccinated yet. How do I book an appointment? You must be registered to receive an invitation by text, email, or phone call. For registration information visit the BC Get Vaccinated Booking System. Invitations will be sent over the next several weeks by priority groups starting with individuals at risk of serious illness, Indigenous peoples, people 65 years and older, children, and healthcare workers. If you have not received a booking link and need flu or COVID-19 vaccines urgently you may call 1-833-838-2323 to book an appointment. Drop-in appointments may also be available at the pharmacy subject to availability. Ask a pharmacy team member for details.