COVID-19 Immunization

Learn more about:

Vaccine basics online courses

The Vaccine Basics Course is designed for students, frontline staff, support staff and managers as a self-paced online program. This course aims to deepen your understanding of vaccines as an important part of infection prevention and control practices. It will cover how vaccines work, how they are developed, and answer some common questions. We hope to empower users with the tools and resources needed to have well-informed, respectful conversations about vaccination in the workplace.

Vaccine Basics ›

Vaccine Basics for Leaders ›

How do I get vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in BC is easy. You can register online using the province’s Get Vaccinated website or call 1-833-838-2323; once you are registered, you will be invited for the next dose when you are eligible. If you have had two doses, this will be six months after your second dose. You can also visit the BCCDC webpage for information on how to get your vaccine at a community pharmacy at a convenient time.

If you have concerns about these options, you may also wish to speak to your employer. They may be able to reach out to the relevant health authority to work out the best and easiest way for you to get vaccinated.

Alternative vaccines

The vaccines most commonly used in BC are the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna). Millions of doses of these vaccines have been administered worldwide, and we know they are safe and effective. However, we understand that mRNA technology is new and some people may feel nervous about it. BC now has alternative choices if you would prefer a non-mRNA vaccine: the Janssen vaccine, which is only one dose, and the Novavax vaccine, which uses more ‘traditional’ vaccine technology. You can request these for your booster by calling 1-833-838-2323

How do the vaccines work?

Four vaccines for COVID-19 have been approved by Health Canada and are being distributed across the country. These are:

Moderna
Pfizer / BioNTech
Oxford University / AstraZeneca
Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

The vaccines all work a little differently. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, while the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines are viral vector vaccines. Click on the links below to learn more about how these two types of vaccines work.

Importantly, none of the four vaccines involve injecting people directly with the COVID-19 virus.

Still have questions about getting vaccinated? Ask us!

COVID-19 vaccinations are coordinated provincially through the COVID-19 Immunization Plan. You will be notified when you’re eligible. In the meantime, ensure that you are registered on the ‘Get Vaccinated’ website.

In partnership with The Public Health Agency of Canada

Information and Resources

Where to Find More Information

Vaccine Development and Approval in Canada

Provided by Health Canada, this infographic gives an overview of the process vaccines go through to ensure they are effective and safe.

Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines

The Government of Canada’s webpage on the vaccine. Contains information on which vaccines are approved and how they work.

Side Effects

Immunize BC answers a range of questions about side effects and allergies.

COVID-19 Vaccine at a Glance

Vaccine information from the BC Centre of Disease Control.

Ask Me Anything: Expert Q&A on COVID-19 Vaccination for Continuing Care Workers

University of British Columbia’s Dr. Manish Sadarangani answers your questions about the vaccine. Webinar originally aired on September 10, 2021.

HealthLink BC COVID-19 Vaccines Information

A detailed questions and answers page provided by HealthLink BC. Available in multiple languages.

COVID-19 vaccination and the workplace

This WorkSafeBC page includes information about the role that vaccination can play in workplace health and safety, along with information about submitting a claim for an adverse reaction to a work-related COVID-19 vaccination.