British Columbians to register for flu shots this year

For the first time, the provincial government is changing how flu shots are rolled out in B.C.

This year, people have to register to get the shot — a system similar to the one used for the COVID-19 vaccine program.

If you’ve already registered for a COVID-19 vaccination, then you shouldn’t have to do anything else except wait for an official invite from the province.

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British Columbians will likely get an email to book both shots, which you can receive at the same time. A personalized special code and your personal health number are needed to book either appointment, however, this means you can no longer book a flu shot through your pharmacy, as people have done in the past.

One Vancouver-based family doctor has taken to social media to slam the province for the move.

Dr. Anna Wolak doesn’t understand why the government is doing this, adding, “BCPH has decided to add another level of bureaucracy and is now requiring invitations for the flu shot… when such a requirement has never existed!”

It absolutely baffles me that as BC announces that we must prepare for a rise of flu cases by making sure we get vaccinated, BCPH has decided to add another level of bureaucracy and is now requiring invitations for the flu shot… when such a requirement has never existed! #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/36RoTSFSa0

— Dr. Anna Wolak (@drawolak) October 11, 2022

The provincial government has been pretty vocal about encouraging people to get the flu shot, with warnings from the experts that this year’s strain could be pretty bad.

This comes as a warning from B.C.’s independent COVID modelling group says we could be on the cusp of yet another wave of the deadly virus.

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• Province readies for fall surge of COVID-19 and flu cases

• B.C. pharmacies prepare flu and COVID booster shots for October

• B.C. on the brink of fall wave of COVID-19: modelling group

This year, people 65 and older have access to an enhanced flu vaccine. The standard dose is available for ages six months and older, and anyone up to age 59, who doesn’t like needles, can get a nasal spray version of it.

The flu shot is free for almost everyone in the province.

Meanwhile, the newly approved bivalent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out in B.C. this week. The province is set to get 1.7 million doses. Moderna’s bivalent shot is already available in the province to those aged 18 and older.

To receive an invitation for a COVID-19 booster shot, you must be registered with Get Vaccinated B.C. or you can call 1.833.838.2323. You can find more information here.