Updated September 28, 2026
2026/2027 Season - COVID-19 vaccine eligibility criteria
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility has been revised based on the updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the XFG variant. Individuals 6 months of age and older at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease are recommended to receive at least 1 dose of COVID-19 XFG vaccine. This includes:
- Individuals 65 years of age and older
- Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) individuals and those residing in Indigenous
- Communities
- Residents of long-term care (LTC) homes, assisted living facilities, or alternate level of care clients awaiting placement in LTC
- Severely immunocompromised individuals
- Individuals who are pregnant
- People who provide essential community services i.e., healthcare workers and first responders.
Although COVID-19 vaccine is not routinely recommended for individuals not mentioned above, all other previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals 6 months of age and older who wish to receive a COVID-19 XFG vaccine are also eligible.
COVID-19 vaccines for individuals under 12 years of age:
Given the limited supply and the ability to immunize whole families, pediatric vaccine is only available through "All ages" public health clinics. It is recommended that children requiring COVID-19 vaccination book appointments through public health clinics.
However, pharmacists may exercise their professional judgment to administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to children 4 years of age and older where access to a public health clinic is not feasible, or if the parent/guardian or child is requesting the vaccine, and the pharmacy is willing to provide the immunization.
2026/2027 Season - Influenza vaccine eligibility criteria
- Recommended and free for all individuals 6 months and older.
- Particularly recommended for:
- High-risk patients (e.g., chronic conditions, older adults, immunocompromised).
- Those who can transmit influenza to high-risk patients.
- Patients who provide essential community services.
- See 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Eligibility for details.
- BCCDC’s Intended Use of Influenza Products by Age Summary – supports age-appropriate product selection.
Non B.C. Residents
PharmaCare pays pharmacies for the administration of publicly funded vaccines to eligible B.C. residents. See PharmaCare’s policy on “Patient eligibility for publicly funded vaccines”. A vaccine administration fee will not be paid when a publicly funded vaccine is administered to a non-B.C. resident.
Non-B.C. Canadian residents, such as those visiting from Alberta, requesting a COVID-19 vaccine are to be directed to call the Get Vaccinated call center 1-833-838-2323 in December to find a public health unit near them. Advise them they may have to wait several weeks for an appointment during the peak of the fall/winter COVID-19 immunization program.
You may also refer clients to the public-facing information under “I’m not a resident of B.C.” in COVID-19 immunizations.
Other key points:
- COVID-19 vaccines are prioritized for B.C. residents, especially those at higher risk.
- Walk-ins are not available at public health units.
- Non-residents of Canada travelling to B.C. are not eligible for routine respiratory season publicly funded vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines.
As part of the informed consent process, when a vaccine is publicly funded in B.C., a pharmacist must provide information regarding the client’s publicly funded options prior to discussing potential alternate private vaccine options. See Private Vaccine Supply