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B.C. health officials are encouraging people to get an influenza vaccine.

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B.C. health officials encourage flu shot

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 11:05 PDT, Wed October 12, 2022

Last Updated: 10:42 PDT, Fri October 14, 2022

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Public-health officials encourage all British Columbians six months and older to get an influenza vaccine to best protect themselves, their loved ones, their communities, and the health-care system this fall and winter.

"Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our communities, and we've made it easier for British Columbians to do so," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "We're continuing to offer everyone free flu shots, and seniors can now get more protection with an enhanced vaccine. To make it even easier, many people will be able to get their influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time."

With the start of the respiratory illness season, the province is preparing for the possibility of an influenza surge, following two years of low influenza rates due to public-health restrictions that reduced travel and socialization. It is also expected that COVID-19 cases will increase as more people gather indoors and travel.

As of Oct. 11, influenza vaccines are widely available for free in participating pharmacies, health-authority clinics, and some primary-care providers' offices throughout the province. Influenza vaccines have been available for seniors and other people at higher risk of severe illness or complications from influenza since Oct. 3.

New this year, people registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system will automatically be sent an invitation to book their flu shot online, just like they can book their COVID-19 vaccines. Walk-in flu shots are also available throughout the province, or people can phone the provincial call centre (toll-free) to book their influenza vaccine: 1-833-838-2323.

"I strongly encourage everyone, especially seniors, young children, and anyone with underlying health issues, to get their influenza immunizations as soon as they receive their invitation through Get Vaccinated BC for the best protection," said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. "Getting vaccinated against influenza is especially important this year as our immunity against the virus has waned following two years of low influenza rates."

In addition to continuing to offer everyone six months and older an influenza vaccine for free, this year, the province is offering all seniors 65 and older an enhanced influenza vaccine for free. Previously, free enhanced influenza vaccines were offered only to seniors living in long-term care homes, assisted living settings, and First Nations communities.

Enhanced influenza vaccines offer seniors better protection against influenza than standard-dose vaccines. This is because they stimulate stronger immune responses, which compensate for the natural weakening of the immune system that occurs with age. A stronger immune response can lead to better protection against influenza.

"Seniors are particularly vulnerable to influenza illness, complications, and hospitalization," said Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors' Services and Long-Term Care. "By offering all seniors a publicly funded enhanced influenza vaccine, we're ensuring that our most susceptible citizens get the protection and peace of mind they need to carry on with the activities they enjoy during respiratory illness season."

Eligible people will also be able to safely get an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 fall booster at the same time.

B.C. will distribute more than 1.8 million doses of influenza vaccines for the 2022-23 influenza season, including more than 660,000 doses of enhanced influenza vaccines for seniors.

"B.C.'s community pharmacists are proud to be supporting the province's immunization program," said Jamie Wigston, pharmacist and president of the BC Pharmacy Association. "Pharmacists are an accessible health-care provider for British Columbians looking to be vaccinated and be protected this influenza season. Almost 1,300 community pharmacies across British Columbia are offering flu shots, and in the last two years, B.C.'s pharmacists have delivered more than one million flu vaccines each year. With both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu, we anticipate pharmacists will deliver three million vaccinations to British Columbians this season."

To learn more about the influenza vaccines, visit immunizebc.ca/influenza.

To register with the Get Vaccinated system, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register.