Online booking system for B.C. COVID-19 vaccinations up and running

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Starting Tuesday, all eligible British Columbians will be able to register to book their COVID-19 vaccinations online.

Many people in this province have been calling for access to online booking, as until now, only people living within the Fraser Health Authority could do so.

Related articles:

• Vaccine bookings in Vancouver Coastal account for just 2.5 % of B.C. total

• Fraser Health COVID-19 vaccine booking system experiencing delays

• B.C. COVID vaccine booking system overwhelmed, ineligible groups reminded not to call

The website (gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated) opened on Tuesday, April 6 to Indigenous people aged 18 and older (born in 2003 or earlier), other British Columbians aged 71 and older (born in 1950 or earlier), and those who are deemed clinically extremely vulnerable.

You can register for yourself or on someone else’s behalf.

Starting April 6, you will need the following to register:

Online

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Postal code
• Personal Health Number (Mandatory for online booking. If you do not have a PHN, you can register by phone or at a Service BC office)
• An email address that is checked regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages

You will not be asked for your SIN, driver’s licence number, or banking and credit card details.

The province says online registration takes five minutes.

By phone

You will need all of the above information, but your PHN is not necessary.

On Tuesday, all of the phone numbers for the individual health authorities will shut down, with a central call centre opening. The toll-free number is: 1-833-838-2323

You can also book in-person at a Service BC office with the same information above.

After you register, you will be given a confirmation number, which you will need to book your actual appointment.

You will be contacted when you are eligible to book an appointment. That booking can be made online or by phone.

People aged 55 to 65 can call their local pharmacies to book their COVID-19 vaccination with the AstraZeneca shot.

Read more: What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations in B.C.