By Times Chronicle Staff
BC’s public health authorities are calling on British Columbians to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from influenza, COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, as the 2025-26 immunization campaign is underway.
BC’s viral respiratory illness campaign follows recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and aims to ensure priority for those most at risk. “Vaccines are free, safe, easy to access and available to everyone six months and older,” according to provincial health authorities.
While anyone can get sick from influenza or COVID-19, some groups are at higher risk of serious illness and complications. These include adults 65 and older, pregnant individuals, people living in long-term care, Indigenous people and those with chronic conditions.
People working in essential community services, such as health-care workers, may also be at risk or more likely to be exposed to individuals at higher risk.
The image shows British Columbia’s Minister of Health, Josie Osborne (center), and Dr. Martin Lavoie, Deputy Provincial Health Officer (extreme left) at a Pure Integrative Pharmacy to announce the launch of the province’s 2025 fall immunization campaign.
BC Government photo
“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.
And while Lavoie notes immunization remains the best protection against severe disease, complications and hospitalization, people should also take other measures, including staying home if they are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning their hands frequently.
Lavoie encourages people six months and older to get immunized with the updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines so they are best protected against severe illnesses. For COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that people who provide essential community and health-care services and those with the highest risk of severe illness and complications get immunized.
“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.
“I want to thank every British Columbian who rolls up their sleeves, as well as the nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals who make vaccinations possible in communities across BC.”
Those registered in the provincial Get Vaccinated system will automatically receive an invitation to book their influenza and COVID-19 immunizations online when they become due. Notifications began for priority populations on Oct. 7, and appointments started Oct. 14, 2025. Notifications will continue and expand to the general population through early November 2025.
Notifications to book influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are being sent through the Get Vaccinated system. Anyone not yet registered in the Get Vaccinated system can register online or by calling 1-833-838-2323. Vaccines are available through health authority clinics, more than 1,200 participating pharmacies and some primary-care providers’ offices.
Seniors will continue to receive enhanced influenza vaccines free of charge, which offer them better protection against influenza than standard-dose vaccines.
The enhanced vaccines stimulate stronger immune responses to compensate for the natural weakening of the immune system that occurs with age. A stronger immune response can help seniors achieve better protection against influenza.
BC Gov photo
People who want to receive influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be able to book an immunization appointment when they receive their invitation.
COVID-19 vaccines are updated every season to reflect common circulating variants, and this year have been updated to include the LP.8.1. variant.
BC has secured 1.94 million doses of the 2025-26 influenza vaccine and 1.4 million doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines – Moderna Spikevax LP.8.1 and Pfizer Comirnaty – which are approved by Health Canada. This year’s vaccine supply is based on uptake in previous seasons to ensure efficient use and to minimize waste, the Health ministry said.
It added that since Oct. 7, 2025, more than two million people have received an invitation to book a vaccination. As of Oct. 19, 2025, almost 275,000 individuals had been vaccinated for influenza in BC, compared to almost 254,000 by the end of the first week of the 2024 vaccine campaign.
As of Oct. 19, 2025, almost 215,000 individuals had been vaccinated for COVID-19 in BC, compared to almost 158,000 by the end of first week of the 2024 vaccine campaign year.
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