COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility

COVID-19 Immunization Eligibility

• March 31, 2026, is the last day for healthy adults and children who do not have a medical risk factor to be immunized with 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing severe illness, including hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 and can decrease the risk of Long COVID (also known as post-COVID-19 condition). Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions continue to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness and outcomes.
• Effective April 1 to June 15, 2026:
  • Moderately to severely immunocompromised adults and children remain eligible for primary immunization with 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine
  • One additional dose is recommended for the following individuals deemed at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness and outcomes.
    • All adults 65 years of age and older.
    • Adult residents (18 years and older) of long-term care facilities, personal care homes and other congregate living settings where seniors reside.
    • Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment.
  • Individuals who recently had COVID-19 infection/are recovering from COVID-19 may be immunized when they are feeling better, no interval is required.
  • The additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to be given at least 8 weeks from the individual’s last COVID-19 vaccine dose. Long-term care facility, personal care home, or senior congregate living residents may be immunized a minimum of 4 weeks after their last dose.

NOTE:

• Adult transplant patients remain eligible to receive 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine doses after June 15, 2026, from Public Health offices, until 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines are available.
• For immunizations you can check the Walk-in Clinic List below and the SHA Patient Booking System for availability in your area. If you do not see a clinic listed in your area please call your local Public Health Office or check with your local pharmacy.
• If you have questions, please call 1-833-727-5829 between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Additional immunization resources

Strategies for parents and caregivers

Being immunized can be nerve-wracking for both children and their caregivers. Below you will find some strategies and resources to help best prepare for and receive immunization.

Consider the following when planning your child’s immunization:

Preparation

• Be honest with your child and share information with simple, neutral language about why immunization is important and what to expect
• Be encouraging, confident and calm so that your child can learn to feel the same way about immunizations
• Avoid using pain descriptors such as pinch or sting, or saying, "It will be over soon," or "It will be OK," as these may increase anxiety

Make a Coping and Distraction Plan

• You know best what can comfort and distract your child, so plan to use those techniques during the immunization appointments. Be sure to bring along comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket, consider bringing a distraction such a mobile device with their favourite song or video. You can find additional distraction ideas on the Distractions Techniques poster below.

Use Positions of Comfort

• Reduce stress and help keep your child still during immunization by finding the most comfortable position to receive the vaccine.

Consider Using Numbing Cream

• Numbing cream is available over-the-counter at many pharmacies. This topical cream helps to reduce sensation in the upper layers of skin to help reduce pain/discomfort from the immunization needle. Most creams need at least 20-60 minutes to reduce sensation, so plan accordingly for your immunization appointment. Please note that SHA clinics do NOT have numbing cream and immunizers cannot apply it , it is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to obtain and apply the product.

Other online resources

Vaccine information and safety

• COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Lots of great information on the vaccines from the Canadian Paediatric Society
• Vaccines & Immunization: From Public Health Canada
• How to talk to your children about COVID-19 vaccines: a simple guide from UNICEF
• Should I get my child vaccinated?: Short video from First Nations Health Authority featuring Dr. Danièle Behn Smith

Parent resources

• Kids In Pain: Resources for pain and fear management in children, with lots of great tools for caregivers and kids.
• Max the Vax: Youth-focused resources about COVID-19 vaccines.
• Needles Don't Have to Hurt: Poster with lots of great tips from a number of healthcare agencies in Canada.
• Mom Hack: When Kids Are Afraid of Needles: short video made by moms for moms with lots of great tips.
• Jesse the Bear: Story about a young bear a bit nervous about getting vaccinated, from the BC Centre for Disease Control
  • Jesse's Story colouring pages
  • Vaccine Hero Badge and colouring page