2024-2025 Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine program

The provincial 2024/2025 influenza and COVID‐19 immunization campaign is expected to start mid-October. Both vaccines are highly recommended for all eligible B.C. residents six months of age and older. Please do not book appointments until advised by Public Health.

Vaccines will be available at:

• Participating pharmacies by appointment for COVID‐19 vaccine (12+ year-olds) and influenza vaccine.
• Public Health Units and Public Health clinics in community locations by appointment for children under 12 years of age and one additional family member with each booked appointment
• On‐site vaccination for Long-Term Care, Assisted Living and some Independent Living residents
• Physician and nurse practitioner offices can offer COVID‐19 vaccines as well as influenza vaccines to their patients

Vaccine ordering

We anticipate ordering for the influenza and new COVID‐19 vaccine products to start October 1. Once these products are available to order, there will be a banner on the online vaccine order request form that will say "Influenza and the new COVID‐19 vaccine products ‐ ordering now available.”

2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccines

• There will be a new COVID-19 vaccine formulation using the KP.2 strain this fall.
• The new formulation of Moderna and Pfizer COVID‐19 vaccine supply should start arriving in B.C. in the next few weeks.
• Co‐administration with influenza vaccine is recommended if both products are available at the appointment time.
• The BCCDC Immunization manual – Part 4 Biological Products COVID‐19 pages will be updated to reflect the new COVID‐19 vaccine products.
• The province requires all administered COVID‐19 vaccines be documented directly into ImmsBC or the provincial immunization registry system (PIR). If you would like to provide COVID-19 vaccine but have not set up access to one of these systems, please email the Immunization Logistics Team at immunizationlogistics@fraserhealth.ca.

2024/2025 influenza vaccines

The BCCDC Immunization manual – Part 4 Biological Products influenza pages have been updated to reflect available products.

New vaccine management resources on the Fraser Health Immunization resources for community vaccine providers (CVPs) webpage

New Vaccine Refrigerator Temperature Form and instructions for refrigerator temperature monitoring

• Contains area to document your thermometer accuracy range (+/- °C) with an explanation of thermometer accuracy range and how it can contribute to a cold chain incident
• Includes explanation of min/max and current temperatures recordings, with shading at 7.0 – 7.9°C to alert staff to rising temperatures and to take action
• Reminder to document to one decimal place (eg. 4.5°C)
• Remember: Vaccines should be kept at 2‐8°C at all times, factoring in thermometer accuracy range. See this quick reference on storage and handling

New Vaccine Management Clinical Checklist

• Located on the Fraser Health Immunization resources for CVPs webpage under vaccine management set up and support tab
• Can be used for the initial set up and also as an annual check to ensure your office avoids cold chain incidents
• Contains multiple supporting resources as well as trouble shooting tips

New Fraser Health Vaccine Management Nurse Support Team

• Fraser Health now has a Vaccine Management Support Nurse Team that will provide virtual or onsite individualized support to primary care offices with a focus on vaccine management, temperature monitoring and supporting resources
• If your primary care office is interested in arranging a visit for support, questions or a meet and greet, email immunizationlogistics@fraserhealth.ca

BCCDC has an updated Vaccine Storage and Handling course located on the Learning Hub - Course Code # 19652