Last month, the province announced that it would be making third ‘booster’ doses of COVID-19 vaccines available for adults in BC. Booster doses are recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, and Pfizer’s vaccine has now been formally authorized by Health Canada for this use.

The booster dose is recommended to ensure people have continued, high levels of protection against COVID-19. It does not mean your first two doses were not effective. Right now, a booster dose is not required for individuals to be considered ‘fully vaccinated’ for the purpose of provincial policies, such as the COVID-19 Vaccine Card or workplace requirements.

For staff in long-term care, assisted living and community care settings, the easiest way to access this booster dose is to register through the Get Vaccinated provincial registration system. This system will then notify you when you are eligible to book an appointment, through your employer or at a community clinic (depending on your workplace and the rollout process in your health authority).

When you will be offered a booster dose depends on the interval between your first two doses. If this interval was short – less than 42 days – you will be eligible between November 2021 and January 2022. Otherwise, health care workers will be prioritized in the general rollout beginning in January 2022.