Getting your flu vaccine

For the 2024/25 influenza season, there are three inactivated influenza vaccines and one live vaccine (given as a nasal spray). The four influenza vaccine products that will be available this year for the general public are:

• FLUZONE® QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated vaccine that is indicated for children and adults 6 months of age and older.
• FLULAVAL® TETRA QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated vaccine that is indicated for children and adults 6 months of age and older.
• FLUAD® is an inactivated vaccine for adults 65 years of age and older residing in the community.
• FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT is a live vaccine given as a nasal spray for children 2-17 years of age. People age 18 to 64 years of age who are unwilling to get the influenza vaccine by needle can get the nasal spray vaccine if they suffer from severe needle phobia. It’s important to note that the FLUZONE® QUADRIVALENT vaccine is more effective than the FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT vaccine for this age group. The Get Vaccinated system will list if a nasal spray vaccine is available at that clinic. The nasal spray vaccine is not approved for use in those younger than two years of age.

See more information on HealthLink BC. You can also follow up with your health care provider if you have questions about vaccine products.

Note: FLUZONE® high-dose quadrivalent is not publicly funded this year. It is available for private purchase at some pharmacies and travel clinics for individuals 65 years of age and older.

For more information about the inactivated influenza vaccine, visit HealthLinkBC File: Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

For more information about the live attenuated influenza vaccine, visit HealthLinkBC File: Live Attenuated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

The influenza vaccine is given annually as one dose. Children under nine years of age who have never had an influenza vaccine need two doses. The second dose of vaccine is important to raise their level of protection and should be given at least four weeks after the first dose.

Anyone who is registered with the provincial Get Vaccinated system will be sent an invitation and booking link for their flu vaccine via text or email.

If you have not registered previously, visit the Get Vaccinated system to register. Alternately, you can call 1-833-838-2323 to register and book appointments.

You can also call your primary care provider to see if they have flu vaccines available and then book an appointment.

Pharmacists can administer flu vaccine to anyone aged four and above, and can administer the FLUMIST® QUADRIVALENT nasal spray vaccine to eligible children aged 2 to 17 years of age as well as adults 18 to 64 years of age with severe needle phobia.

Everyone who registers for the flu vaccine needs to have a Personal Health Number (PHN). Your PHN can be found on the back of a BC driver's licence, BC Services Card or CareCard. If you don’t have a PHN, you can call the provincial Get Vaccinated call centre to get a PHN in order to register.

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time or any time before or after other vaccinations including influenza.

Influenza (flu) spreads very easily, and can cause serious complications or death in vulnerable people, including young children, people with certain medical conditions and long-term care residents. You can spread influenza for 24 hours before you have any symptoms, so you can pass influenza on to your family and friends before you even know you are sick.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of influenza is by getting the influenza vaccine, staying home when sick and washing your hands regularly.

For the best protection against flu and to stop the spread of flu, get the flu vaccine each year as soon as it is available. By doing so, you’re protecting yourself and your loved ones from flu each season.

People who are homebound or have other challenges which make it difficult to attend an immunization site, such as vision or hearing difficulties, can request to have their vaccinations at home.

To request a home visit, please call the Home Health service line at 1-855-412-2121. The team will assess if you are eligible and, if you are, work with you to arrange the in-home vaccination.