B.C. gov’t respiratory virus vaccine campaign up from last year

The provincial Ministry of Health says that this year’s B.C. vaccine campaign is off to a good start as more people have already received their vaccine during the first week than in 2024.

Almost 275,000 individuals had been vaccinated for influenza as of Oct. 19. That is up from 254,000 last year.

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The numbers are also up for the COVID-19 vaccines. While 215,000 already received their vaccine this year, 158,000 had been vaccinated by the end of the first week of 2024.

According to the ministry, members of certain risk groups were invited to receive the vaccine starting from Oct. 7. The first appointments started Oct. 14.

Those risk groups include adults 65 years and older, pregnant individuals, people living in long-term care, Indigenous people, and those with chronic conditions.

Additionally, health-care workers and other frontline workers, who are more likely to be exposed to individuals at higher risk, are also recommended to receive the vaccines.

The province says fall is the time of the year when the province sees increases in viral respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19.

“The respiratory virus season typically starts in mid-to-late fall, and with this, we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones protected,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, deputy provincial health officer, in a statement.

Anyone outside the risk groups is encouraged to book an appointment starting early November.

The ministry says that anyone not yet registered in the Get Vaccinated system can register online or by calling 1 833 838-2323.

Vaccine appointments will take place at health authority clinics or at more than 1,200 participating pharmacies across the province.

Additionally, some primary-care providers’ offices will also offer the vaccines.

“Getting a vaccination is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can look out for each other, and it helps to keep our health-care system from being overwhelmed,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.

Osborn criticizes misleading vaccine information

At a press conference on Wednesday, Osborn expressed concern about a “growing amount of misinformation and disinformation” related to vaccines as the province rolls out its campaign for the respiratory illness season.

She says much of the false and misleading information is coming from outside Canada, particularly the United States.

False claims about vaccines undermine confidence in proven public health measures in B.C., where officials base their decisions on strong scientific evidence and expert medical advice, she adds.

Lavoie says those propagating false information often appeal to people’s emotions and stir up fear about vaccines that are confirmed to be safe and effective in reducing the likelihood of severe illness.

Canada has a “stringent” process to determine vaccine safety, he adds.

The government has secured 1.94 million doses of the 2025-26 influenza vaccine and 1.4 million doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccines are free.

With files from The Canadian Press.