*This plan is subject to change. Due to the complexity of Northern geography, logistics, outbreaks, vaccine supply, and other factors, changes to timelines and the plan may be made as required.
The current immunization schedule developed for the North, in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation BC, and Northern Health, is focused on phases one and two priority groups of BC's immunization plan (developed based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization), and on protecting those most vulnerable to severe illness, first.
For more information on the vaccine and priority groups, visit the Government of BC website and the First Nations Health Authority website.
Registering for a vaccine appointment
- Register now: Everyone age 6 months and older can now be registered in the Get Vaccinated system.
This system has three simple steps:
| Step 1: Register | Step 2: Book an appointment | Step 3: Get the vaccine |
|---|---|---|
 First, you register and get a confirmation number. You need that number to later book your vaccination appointment. Registering also helps health authorities request the right amount of vaccine doses for each community. |
 Once you have registered, you will be notified when you become eligible to book an appointment. This is based on your age and the provincial Immunization Plan phases. Your notification will include instructions on how to book, which will be done online or by phone. |
 Visit the clinic to get your vaccine dose. People who get their first vaccine dose will be notified by email, text, or phone when they are eligible to book an appointment for their second dose. |
Visit how to get vaccinated for COVID-19 for more information.
A provincial call centre (1-833-838-2323) is available for people who do not have a Personal Health Number or need additional support making an appointment. This service is available in 140 languages.
Or you can register in-person at the nearest Service BC location
You will need to provide your:
- Legal first and last name
- Date of birth
- Post code
- Personal health number (aka: Care card)
- An email address that gets checked regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages (a direct line to you or your support person)
COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months to 4
Health Canada has approved the Moderna mRNA vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years. This vaccine is now available for children in this age group. Local vaccine clinic details are now available. You can now register your child(ren) for their dose 1, using the same Get Vaccinated registration system as above.
Learn more about vaccines for children and vaccine safety.
COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11
Health Canada has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty mRNA vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This vaccine is now available for children. Local vaccine clinic details are now available. You should now register your child(ren) for their dose 1, using the same Get Vaccinated registration system as above.
Learn more about vaccines for children and vaccine safety.
Booster doses
For most people, their initial vaccination was 2 doses of vaccine. In 2021, this offered very good protection from severe illness related to COVID-19, but protection decreases over time. For new variants like Omicron, 2 doses don't provide enough protection.
Even if you've had COVID-19, you still need a booster. With no booster doses, you're not up to date.
Ongoing boosters
For full protection, everyone 5 years of age and older needs ongoing booster doses. Invitations are sent on a rolling basis, 6 months after your last dose. For most people, it's best to get a booster dose around periods of increased risk like the fall and winter months.
To get your booking invitation, you must be registered with the Get Vaccinated provincial registration system and your immunization record must be up-to-date. Individuals will be contacted when they are eligible to book a third dose.
Fall boosters
Fall booster invitations are going out now. Everyone 18 and older can get a bivalent vaccine for their fall booster. The vaccine offered for your booster will depend on your age group.
View more information about boosters and information to help understand your vaccine options.
Get a flu shot at your fall booster appointment
Starting in early October, you can book a free flu shot at the same appointment where you get your COVID-19 booster. If you've recently had your COVID-19 booster, don't worry. You'll get another invitation to book your flu shot.
Public health recommends that everyone gets a flu shot this year. It's important to get both your fall COVID-19 booster and flu shot, to protect yourself from respiratory illness during the fall and winter.
How to prepare for your appointment:
- Are you feeling sick? Please stay home. You can phone the call centre to reschedule your appointment.
- Read through the BCCDC vaccine screening checklist and flag any questions or concerns for the immunizer.
- Bring your BC Services/care card, or other government ID.
- Wear clothing that lets us easily reach your upper arm.
- The vaccine clinic is a scent-free environment; please be mindful of this as some are severely allergic to scents.
- Arrive no more than 5 minutes before your appointment time.
- Your appointment will take about 10 minutes, and we’ll ask you to wait for another 15 minutes before leaving the clinic.
- Everyone who is immunized will receive an Immunization Record and After Care information and resources.
- More info on what to expect when you get a COVID-19 vaccine is available on the BCCDC website.
Reminder: Public health orders remain in effect for everyone, including those who have received their vaccine. Please continue to wear a mask, avoid non-essential travel and large gatherings, and practice good hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Looking for more info on the vaccine? Read the COVID-19 Vaccine Health File (PDF) - HealthLink BC
More information on expected side effects and your immunization record is available below.
Additional vaccine information
mRNA vaccines are the best choice because they provide the most effective protection against COVID-19.
If you're 18 or older and would prefer a non-mRNA vaccine, you can get the Novavax vaccine or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
If you are 12+ (born in 2009 or earlier), you're eligible to get vaccinated. You can get vaccinated by yourself, with your parents, or with a trusted adult.
Under the Infants Act, minors can give consent as a mature minor to receive health care, like getting a vaccine.
For now, all young people between 12 and 17 years old who want a vaccine should be registering in the provincial system.
- To learn how to register, visit gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated
- For more information on the youth COVID-19 vaccine program, visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/youth
To book a vaccine appointment, please find your community below for specific instructions.
Youth immunization trusted resources
- Immunize BC
- What to expect at the clinic
- Frequently asked questions
- Giving permission to get the vaccine (Mature minor consent)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- This document contains some answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccinations in children
- More info is available on the BCCDC Website
The vaccine is not a live virus vaccine and cannot give you COVID-19. Many people have no side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Side effects can develop in the day or two after receiving the vaccine and should be mild and go away in a few days. If you feel well, you may still attend work. Continue to follow public health guidelines even after you are vaccinated.
Side effects may include:
- Redness, swelling or feeling sore where you had the needle
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes under armpit
- Fever or chills
- Body aches or muscle soreness
- Vomiting or loose stool
*Respiratory symptoms (including cough) are not side effects from the vaccine.
Members of the public should report all unexpected side effects to the local health unit. Find your local health unit.
Find more vaccine-specific aftercare information (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
If you have side effects that are the same as COVID-19 symptoms, you must:
- Stay away from others (isolate) even if you think they are from the vaccine.
- Use the BC COVID-19 Online Self-Assessment Tool if you experience any symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection, including respiratory symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, etc.) or any symptoms listed above, with the exception of reactions at the site where your vaccine was given. This will let you know if you need to get tested for COVID-19.
If you have been told to isolate for other reasons/symptoms OR your symptoms do not go away within 48 hours, follow guidance from your physician or primary care provider or call 8-1-1.
- Please report any unexpected side effects following immunization.
- Wait until 14 days after your immunization before receiving another vaccine, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare provider.
- Do not receive another vaccine within 14 days prior to a COVID-19 immunization.
If you believe you have COVID-19 and require a COVID-19 test, call your physician or primary care provider or the Northern Health Virtual Clinic 1-844-645-7811. For more information on COVID-19 and vaccines, visit www.bccdc.ca
Your COVID-19 immunization record is stored on the province’s online database called Health Gateway. Health Gateway can be accessed from your computer, tablet or mobile phone and you can print a copy of your immunization record. To register, visit www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca. There is a BC Services Help Desk available to assist you with the process.
Proof of vaccination
You don't need proof of vaccination to access businesses, events or services in B.C. Visitors to NH facilities (including hospitals, health centres, and long-term care facilities) are still required to be vaccinated and to wear a mask.
-
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions - ImmunizeBC
Resources
- COVID-19 community toolkit: These tools and resources can help you promote the COVID-19 vaccine to your staff, community, or local audience.
- COVID-19 vaccine plan resources: Please feel free to download the resources for printing for your community or sharing via social media networks.
- Immunize BC
- Frequently asked questions
- Giving permission to get the vaccine (Mature minor consent)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- This document contains some answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccinations in children
- More info is available on the BCCDC Website
- The Infants Act, Mature Minor Consent and Immunization - HealthLink BC
- COVID-19 vaccine - Government of BC
- COVID-19 vaccine - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- Vaccines for COVID-19: Authorized vaccines - Health Canada
- Public health statement on deferral of second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in BC (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- Rapid Response: Extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines to optimize early vaccine rollout and population protection in Canada - National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI)
- Vaccine after-care sheet (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
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This report includes the latest COVID-19 immunization rates for eligible individuals (12+) in Community Health Service Areas in the Northern Health region (updated on the last Wednesday of each month). If you are not sure which Community Health Service Area your community is in or near, more information can be found in the Local Health Area maps.
- Provincial vaccine data on the BCCDC COVID-19 Dashboard (see “Vaccine Information” at bottom of dashboard; may need to toggle arrows to the right.)
- Vaccine information on this Dashboard can now be filtered by health authority. Follow above instructions and filter by Northern for updated info on vaccine doses administered in Northern Health.
For more info regarding the extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines please see:
- Public health statement on deferral of second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in BC (PDF) - BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
- Rapid Response: Extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines to optimize early vaccine rollout and population protection in Canada - National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI)
We are proud to be working in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and Metis Nation BC.
