Our pharmacists are injection certified by the College of Pharmacists. You can receive your vaccinations on-site with no additional charges. Our pharmacists can vaccinate everyone age 5 years and older.
The influenza vaccination, or flu shot, is recommended annually for everyone* during the flu season.
Influenza (the flu) can be a serious disease, especially to at-risk populations such as young children, the elderly, pregnant ladies and those with respiratory illnesses. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against the flu. When you get vaccinated, you help protect the at-risk individuals around you too! The flu shot is available as early as October each year and can be administered by our pharmacists on-site without an appointment or prescription.
In B.C., the flu shot is provided free of charge to:
People at high risk of serious illness from influenza, such as:
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- Children 6 months to less than 5 years of age
- Seniors 65 years and older
- Pregnant women
- Residents of nursing homes & residential care facilities
- Children & teenagers required to take Aspirin for long periods of time
- Adults & children with:
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- Heart or lung disorders (e.g. asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis)
- Diabetes & other metabolic diseases
- Health conditions causing difficulty breathing, swallowing, risk of choking on food or fluids (e.g. people with severe brain damage, spinal cord injury, seizures or neuromuscular disorders)
- Obesity (BMI >40)
- Cancer, weakened immune system
- Kidney disease, chronic liver disease, hepatitis, anemia
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- Aboriginal people
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People who could spread influenza to those at high risk of serious illness from influenza including:
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- Household contacts & caregivers of people at high risk
- Household contacts & daycare staff of children under 5 years of age
- Household contacts of expectant mothers
- Healthcare providers who have contact with patients
- Visitors to health care facilities & other patient care locations
- People who work at long term care facilities
- People who provide care or service to people at high risk in potential outbreak settings (e.g. cruise ships, airplanes etc.)
- People who live or work in confined settings (e.g. correctional facilities)
- People who provide essential community services (e.g. police, firefighters, ambulance attendants etc.)
- Farmers & people who work with live poultry
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*If eligible and not contraindicated
The pneumonia vaccine is recommended for everyone age 65 years and older*
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause symptoms of cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. It is acquired by breathing in pneumonia bacteria through the nose and throat into the lungs. At-risk populations such as young children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, can become very ill when they come in contact with pneumonia. The pneumonia vaccine protects against bacterial pneumonia infection and reduces the risk of serious pneumonia complications such as meningitis and blood infections (sepsis). The pneumonia vaccine is available year-round and can be administered by our pharmacists on-site without appointment or prescription.
In B.C., the pneumonia shot is provided free of charge for:
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- Seniors 65 years and older*
- Residents of nursing homes & residential care facilities*
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The vaccine is also provided free to anyone who is 2 years of age and older* with:
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- Diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or a chronic cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Weakened immune system by disease or medical treatment
- No spleen, or a spleen that is not working properly
- Sickle-cell disease
- Chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease, or lung disease
- An islet cell or solid organ transplant, or a cochlear (inner ear) implant, or those who are waiting for one
- A stem cell transplant
- An alcohol dependency
- Homeless persons
- Users of illicit drugs
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*If eligible and not contraindicated
The shingles vaccine is recommended for everyone age 50 years and older*
After acquiring chickenpox or the varicella vaccine, the varicella zoster “chicken pox” virus remains dormant in the body. In about 1 out of 3 people, the same virus becomes active later in life to cause another outbreak called shingles. Like chickenpox, shingles manifests as an itchy and painful skin rash with blisters on the face and/or body. But unlike chickenpox, shingles may cause severe pain with nerve damage that lasts months to years after the rash as cleared, known as post-herpetic neuralgia. The shingles vaccine can reduce the likelihood of having a shingles outbreak and can also reduce pain for people who get shingles. The shingles vaccine is available year-round and can be administered by our pharmacists on-site without appointment or prescription. It is a two-dose series, with the doses spaced 2-6 months apart. At present, the shingles vaccine is not covered by Pharmacare, but it is covered by many third party insurance plans.
*If eligible and not contraindicated
HPV is a very common sexually-transmitted viral infection that affects 3 out of every 4 women. Most HPV infections clear on their own but for some women who acquire HPV, the virus will not go away and can lead to cervical cancer or genital warts. Many people may unknowingly acquire and spread the virus because HPV can stay in the body’s cells for a long time without symptoms. HPV can take 10 years or more to cause cervical cancer. Genital warts caused by HPV can be spread to a sex partner even if you cannot see the warts.
The HPV vaccine can help protect people from being infected with some of the most common types of the virus. The vaccine is a one-time series of 3 shots given over 6 months.
In B.C., the HPV vaccine is provided free to:
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- Females born in 1994-2004 who have not received the vaccine up to age 26 years of age*
- Males 9 to 26 years of age* who:
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- Have sex with men
- Are not yet sexually active and are questioning their sexual orientation
- Are street involved
- Are infected with HIV
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- Males 9 to 18 years of age in the care of the Ministry of Children & Family*
- Males 12 to 17 years of age in youth custody service centres*
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The HPV vaccine is available year-round and can be administered by our pharmacists on-site without appointment after obtaining a prescription from your doctor. At present, the HPV vaccine is not covered by Pharmacare for females age 27-45 and males age 9-45 (who are not at increased risk of HPV), but it is covered by many third party insurance plans.
*If eligible and not contraindicated
The Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccine is recommended for everyone age 7 years and older*
Tetanus, known as “lockjaw”, is an infection that occurs when bacteria in the soil enters the skin through a cut or scrape. The tetanus bacteria produce a poison that can cause painful tightening of muscles all over the body. It is very serious when tetanus affects muscles used for breathing. Up to 1 in 5 people who get tetanus may die.
Diphtheria is a serious infection of the nose and throat caused by bacteria spread through the air by people sneezing or coughing or by direct skin-to-skin contact. The disease can result in severe breathing problems, with complications such as heart failure and paralysis. About 1 in 10 people who get diphtheria may die.
The tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine is the best way to protect against tetanus and diphtheria. The Td vaccine is recommended every 10 years, especially for those who are at risk of acquiring dirty skin wounds from day to day activities (e.g. housekeeping, gardening, sports, camping etc.) or accidental injuries (everyone!).
The Td vaccine is available year-round and can be administered by our pharmacists on-site without appointment or prescription.
In B.C., the Td shot is provided free of charge for everyone age 7 and above*
*If eligible and not contraindicated
Don’t let bugs get in the way of your vacation. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about which vaccinations are suitable for your next destination. After you’ve visited your doctor, we can fill your travel prescriptions and administer your vaccinations without appointment. At present, travel vaccinations and medications are not covered by Pharmacare, but are covered by many third party insurance plans.