2025-2026 Flu/COVID-19 vaccination information

2025-2026 Flu/Covid vaccination season is now open for booking, earliest start day at Crystal Pharmacy is on Oct 16th

There are 4 types of government-funded flu vaccines this year: Fluad, Fluzone, Fluviral, and Flumist. Fluad contains an adjunct that enhances the vaccine's effectiveness in creating antibodies, and is reserved ONLY for those aged 65 and older. Fluzone and Fluviral are available to children aged 6 months to 65 years and older (note: Pharmacy can only provide vaccination to children 4 years and above). Flumist is the only flu vaccine in nasal spray format and is reserved only for children with a severe anxiety against injections. After vaccination, it usually takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect and its effect lasts for around six to eight months.

This season's COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty by Pfizer, Spikevax by Moderna) is different from last year's. This year's formulation targets the new variant LP8. Like the flu vaccine, it takes two weeks to take effect and its effect lasts for around six months.

Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are very safe, and can be injected simultaneously at the same appointment.

Thank you for your support, every year Crystal Pharmacy experiences several times higher volume of phone calls/walk-in inquiries during the October-November vaccination season. To avoid overcrowding, we recommend:

- Unless it's necessary, let seniors and those with special health needs book appointments during the first 2 weeks of vaccination campaign (Oct 16 to Oct 24)

- If you call us but cannot get through, please try to call us at a later time. Or if no one answers, please leave us a message

- Please note community pharmacies can only provide free vaccinations to British Columbians. Non-BC residents can find a pharmacy that offers self-pay vaccines or contact their local municipal health units.

- The easiest way to book appointment with us is to go to the provincial government website. https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca or call the hotline at 18338382323. Of course, you can call us at 604433282

- As per BC Health Ministry, all Flu/Covid vaccination data must be registered on a provincial data base. Hence, please do not book your flu/COVID-19 vaccine appointments through the our Crystal Pharmacy website