Get Immunized

Learn where to get the measles vaccine

The fall respiratory illness immunization campaign is now underway.

An appointment is required for each person visiting an IH site like a public health unit to receive their influenza and COVID-19 immunization. Community pharmacies are the best option for most people 12 years of age and older seeking influenza and COVID-19 immunizations.

Eligible people registered with the Get Vaccinated system will receive an invitation to book an appointment for their Influenza and COVID-19 immunization.

To ensure you receive your invite to book an appointment, ensure you are registered with the Get Vaccinated system.

If you have received information from Interior Health about RSV protection for your new born, please contact public health at your local community health centre.

The province of B.C. has not yet introduced a publicly funded RSV vaccine program for adults. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine if the vaccine is recommended for you and reach out to community pharmacies to learn how to get it.

Routine childhood immunizations are free and easy to get.

You can book an appointment at a Child Health Clinic by calling your local public health centre.

Your baby’s immunizations will start when they are two months of age. It’s important to call ahead for an appointment so that your baby can start on time.

Someone other than you may take your child for their vaccinations. Call your public health centre and they will give you information on what is required for consent.

After your appointment, remember to book the next one.

Kindergarten boosters are provided to children starting at 4 years of age:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio (Tdap-IPV) Vaccine
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) Vaccine

These immunizations are provided at public health centres not at schools.. Some areas offer immunizations before children enter kindergarten and others offer them in the kindergarten school year. Please check with your local public health centre to arrange for an appointment. 

Your child should come to the appointment with a parent or legal guardian. If this is not possible, please talk to the local public health nurse before your appointment to discuss the consent process.

Students in grades 6 and 9 are immunized at school. Parent letters, consent forms and vaccine information are sent home beforehand.

• Completing the grade 6 school immunization consent form
• Grade 6 catch-up immunizations
• Grade 6 immunizations in BC (HealthLinkBCFile)
• Completing the grade 9 school immunization consent form
• Grade 9 catch-up immunizations
• Grade 9 immunization presentation (video)
• Grade 9 immunization in BC (HealthLinkBC File)

Immunizations are given at school to those students who have returned a completed and signed consent form. Your child will get a record after their immunizations. Keep your child’s immunization record in a safe place. They may need it later for school or travel to other countries.

If your child  needs to catch up on missed vaccines or is home schooled, you can schedule an appointment at your local health unit, community health centre, nursing station, doctor’s office, or pharmacy to get them immunized.

Adults can get vaccinated at:

• Public Health Centres
• Family physicians
• Nurse practitioners
• Certified pharmacists
• Private providers such as travel vaccination clinics

People who are homebound or have other challenges, such as vision or hearing difficulties, which make it difficult to attend a community clinic, can request to have their vaccination at home.   

To request a home visit, please call 1-833-469-9806. The team will assess if the individual is eligible to receive a vaccine at home. If an individual meets the criteria, they will work with you to arrange the in-home vaccination. 

When calling, please have the following information ready: 

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Personal Health Number (Care Card number, or BC Services Card number),
• Address
• Email address
• Contact phone number

Please also provide any other information that may help the nurse administer the vaccine, such as any diagnoses, allergies, phobias or fears (e.g. needles) and who will be present for additional support.

Alternatively, for people who require vaccination at home and who already receive home health services from Interior Health please contact talk with your regular provider to arrange your immunization.

Note: In-home visits will only be provided for those assessed as meeting criteria for an outreach visit.

If the person requiring vaccination is able to be transported, we recommend they visit a Community Health Centre as this will be the fastest way for them to receive their vaccine. 

Whether someone needs requires a private space to receive their immunization, more information about the immunization or has a fear of needles, we will work with them to arrange support and accommodations to ensure vaccination is accessible and comfortable.

Examples of special support/arrangements that can be made include: 

• Organizing transportation
• Addressing challenges such as fear of needles
• Arranging to attend a specific drive-through location 
• Arranging to attend a quiet/private space within a clinic
• Help with mobility challenges by arranging to meet at the entrance of the clinic and/or facilitate getting into a seat

To request an immunization appointment at one of our Community Health Centres please call your preferred location. Find your closest location.

• The person booking the appointment will need the person's:
  • First and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Postal code
  • Personal Health Number
  • An email address that is checked regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages.

Is transportation needed? If transportation is required, please visit our Transportation to & from Hospital page.

Parents or caregivers of neurodiverse children needing extra support can call 1-833-469-9806.