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Please read our Influenza Frequently Asked Questions for answers to common questions we receive. Find out if you are eligible for a free flu shot.
If you are a VIHA employee or staff member, please check the VIHA Staff Flu page.
Find a Public Flu Clinic
Public clinics begin the week of October 22nd. Clinic schedules are posted below. Clinic times are subject to change, so please check this page often.
South Island: Greater Victoria, Sooke, Saanich, Gulf Islands
Central Island: Duncan, Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Qualicum, Port Alberni westward
North Island: Courtenay, Campbell River, Gold River, communities north of Campbell River
For all regions in BC, check
ImmunizeBC's Flu Locator or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
Please bring your Care Card to the flu clinic.
In British Columbia, the seasonal flu vaccine is provided free of charge to the following groups:
- People 65 and older and their caregivers (http://www.seniorsbc.ca/)
- Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
- Health care workers
- Emergency responders
- Healthy children from 6 months of age to less than 5 years old
- Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to less than 5 years of age
- Pregnant women who will be in their 3rd trimester during the influenza season
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
- Owners and operators of poultry farms
- Aboriginal peoples
- People who are very obese (those with a body mass index of 40 or greater)
- Corrections officers and inmates in provincial correctional institutions.
- Those who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g. crew on ships)
For health professionals who are interested in more details on the groups who are eligible for a free influenza vaccine, visit page 31 of Section VII of the BCCDC's Communicable Disease Control Manual.
All other British Columbians are able to receive a flu shot for a fee. C ontact your family physician or local pharmacy about vaccine availability and cost.
Although we recommend you get the vaccine early to protect yourself throughout the flu season, the vaccine is available until April from family physicians, Public Health Units and some pharmacies.
Consent forms for adults incapable of providing consent
If you are a caregiver to an adult who is assessed as incapable of giving informed consent to be immunized, you will need to fill out the consent form:
Consent for Influenza Vaccine for Adults Assessed as Incapable of Giving Informed Consent (pdf)
Additional consent forms can be found on the right hand side of the BCCDC - Vaccines in BC page.
Please complete forms in advance of your client or loved one going to a flu clinic to receive their flu immunization. You may complete the forms electronically or print them off and complete it by hand.
- Get immunized.
- Stay home when you’re sick or have influenza symptoms.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Do not cough or sneeze into your hands - use your upper arm or a tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers.
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