Immunizations, also known as vaccinations, are important for people of all ages. They help your immune system recognize and quickly kill bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illness or death. Some immunizations are given in a single shot or oral dose, while others require several doses over a period of time. In B.C., immunizations are given by public health nurses in your local public health unit and by doctors, pharmacists and nurses in private travel and vaccine clinics. Some workplaces also have occupational health nurses who can give immunizations according to requirements and recommendations of employers.
The need for immunizations does not end with childhood. Thousands of people are hospitalized, and many die, as a result of influenza and other diseases that can be prevented by immunization. By getting immunized, you protect yourself and others as well.
Be sure to keep complete records of immunizations for you and your family. A child's immunization record is usually requested when he or she is registered to enter day care, preschool, kindergarten, school and certain programs in post-secondary institutions. If you have any questions about immunizations, speak with your health care provider.
There are vaccines that are not available free to the public but are important for preventing serious illness or death. Speak with your health care provider for information about these vaccines.
The schedules below, listing vaccines provided free to residents of B.C., can help you determine when you or your family needs to be immunized. There is no need to delay immunizations because of colds or other minor illnesses, but when in doubt, discuss your concerns first with your health care provider.
Individual Immunization Schedules
Click on the tabs below to expand and view individual immunization schedules for different age groups and individuals at high risk.
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Infants and Children
This schedule lists all vaccines that are provided free to children in British Columbia who are between the ages of 0 and 6.
This PDF combines all of the information in the individual schedules listed below.
Click on the vaccine name to see additional information for each vaccine.
Vaccine 2 Months 4 Months 6 Months 12 Months 18 Months Starting at 4
Years of Age
(Kindergarten Entry)Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine Children who have had chickenpox or shingles disease, diagnosed by a health care provider, at 1 year of age or older do not need the chickenpox vaccine, and should get the MMR vaccine at 4 years of age. Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib) Vaccine Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type b (DTaP-IPV-Hib) Vaccine Hepatitis A Vaccine
Aboriginal children onlyThe hepatitis A vaccine is provided free as 2 doses to Aboriginal children living both on-reserve and off-reserve. Infants will receive the first dose at 6 months of age and the second dose at 18 months of age. Older children and adolescents who have not been immunized also need 2 doses of the vaccine. The second dose needs to be given at least 6 months after the first dose. Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Live Attenuated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
Children 6 months to 4 years of ageAnnual influenza immunization is recommended and provided free to children 6 months to 4 years of age. For children receiving the vaccine for the first time, a second dose is recommended 4 weeks after the first dose.
Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #12d Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
The live attenuated influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children under 2 years of age.
Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #12e Live Attenuated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (close)Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #14a Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (close)Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) Vaccine Children who have had chickenpox or shingles disease, diagnosed by a health care provider, at 1 year of age or older do not need the chickenpox vaccine, and should get the MMR vaccine at 4 years of age.
Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #14e Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) Vaccine (close)Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #23a Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) Vaccine (close)Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV 13) Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #62a Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV 13) Vaccine (close)Rotavirus Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #104 Rotavirus Vaccine (close)Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio (Tdap-IPV) Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #15a Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio (Tdap-IPV) Vaccine (close) -
School Age Children
This schedule lists all vaccines that are provided free to children in British Columbia who are in grades 6 and 9.
Click on the vaccine name to see additional information for each vaccine.
Vaccine Grade 6 Grade 9 Chickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine The chickenpox vaccine is offered to students in grade 6 who did not receive 2 doses when they were younger. It is not necessary for those who had chickenpox or shingles disease, diagnosed by a healthcare provider, at 1 year of age or older to get the vaccine. Hepatitis B Vaccine Children who were not previously immunized or did not complete their infant hepatitis B vaccine series will be offered hepatitis B vaccine for free in grade 6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The HPV vaccine is provided free to girls and boys in grade 6 as a series of 2 doses given 6 months apart. The vaccine is being offered to boys in grade 6 for the first time starting in September 2017. Meningococcal Quadrivalent Conjugate Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #23b Meningococcal Quadrivalent Vaccine (close)Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine Additional Resources: HealthLinkBC File #18c Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine (close) -
Adults, Seniors and Individuals at High Risk
This schedule lists all the vaccines that are provided free to adults who are 18 years of age or older and who were not immunized in childhood. It also lists the recommended vaccines for those who are in high risk groups, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems.
This PDF combines all of the information in the individual schedules listed below.
Click on the vaccine name to see additional information for each vaccine.
Vaccine Adult 65 Years
and OverHigh Risk
ProgramChickenpox (Varicella) Vaccine Adults who have not been immunized or have not had chickenpox or shingles disease after 1 year of age should get 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine. Hepatitis A Vaccine The hepatitis A vaccine is provided free to Aboriginal children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years living both on-reserve and off-reserve.
High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information.Hepatitis B Vaccine The hepatitis B vaccine is provided free to people born in 1980 or later who have never received the vaccine or have not received the recommended number of doses for their age.
High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information.Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine The HPV vaccine is provided free to eligible adults 26 years of age and under.
High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information.
For more information on who can get the vaccine for free see HealthLinkBC File #101b Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines (close)Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Annual influenza immunization is recommended for people at high risk of serious illness from influenza and people able to transmit or spread influenza to those at high risk of serious illness.
High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information.Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Anyone born in 1970 or later that has not been immunized or does not have immunity to measles, mumps and rubella should get 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) Vaccine The Men-C vaccine is provided free to people born before 2002 who are 24 years of age and under who did not receive a dose of the vaccine on or after their 10th birthday. Meningococcal Quadrivalent Conjugate Vaccine High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information. Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV 13) Vaccine High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information. Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for those 65 years of age and older.
High Risk Program: British Columbia provides many vaccines free of charge to some groups of people, such as those with chronic illness or weakened immune systems. Contact your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 for more information.Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine The Td vaccine is given to adults who were not immunized in childhood or whose immunization history is unknown. A booster dose of the vaccine is recommended every 10 years for all adults. Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine The Tdap vaccine is provided free to adults who were not immunized in childhood or whose immunization history is unknown. A booster dose of the Tdap vaccine is recommended, but not provided for free, for adults 18 years of age and older who were immunized against pertussis in childhood but have not received a pertussis-containing vaccine in adulthood.
Full Immunization Schedule
This PDF combines all of the information in the individual schedules listed below.
Note: The vaccine schedules can change. Speak with your health care provider, or call 8-1-1 if you have questions. Immunization tables developed and reviewed by HealthLink BC, BC Ministry of Health, and BC Centre for Disease Control.
Last updated: September 2017
