Respiratory Immunization Information for Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities

Information on this page is for all staff who work at long-term care or assisted living facilities located within Island Health, this includes facilities that are Island Health owned and operated, affiliates, and private facilities. 

• Immunization information for healthcare professionals
• Immunizations courses for health professionals

The 2025–2026 viral respiratory illness season in B.C. ended on March 6, 2026. Individuals at higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose this spring. Invitations to eligible groups will begin in late April.  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: IMMS BC will not be available for documentation from April 1 to April 27, 2026. At that time, ImmsBC will transition to ImmsBC 2.0. Please see Documentation Section below for details

Vaccine management

• All staff who monitor, handle or administer vaccine must be familiar with the cold chain process and BCCDC Vaccine Management resources
• Vaccine must always be stored between +2°C to +8°C either in a monitored fridge or cooler packed according to  page 6-8 of the BCCDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Guide
• Record the minimum, maximum and current vaccine fridge temperatures at the start and end of each day using the BCCDC Fridge Temperature Form
• Vaccine stored in a cooler for ≥4 hours must be monitored with a min/max thermometer
• If vaccine is exposed to any temperature outside +2°C to +8°C, immediately:
  • Place vaccine in a bag and label ‘QUARANTINE – DO NOT USE’
  • Store bag between +2°C to +8°C in a monitored fridge or cooler packed according to page 6-8 of the BCCDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Guide
  • Contact local health unit

COVID-19 and Influenza vaccine eligibility 

The 2025–2026 viral respiratory illness season in B.C. ended on March 6, 2026.

COVID-19 eligibility:

People at higher risk of severe illness are encouraged to get an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose this spring.

Information about eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility will be updated once provincial guidance has been provided.

Influenza eligibility: 

Information about eligibility for influenza vaccine will be updated in Fall 2026. 

Vaccine products

Influenza vaccine: 

The 2025-2026 respiratory-illness season is now complete. Information about the next influenza vaccine will be available in fall 2026. 

COVID-19 vaccine: 

Once the spring immunization campaign for COVID-19 has been announced and provincial guidance has been provided, vaccine information will be posted here. Please check back in mid to late April for updates.

Ordering vaccine

Once the spring immunization campaign for COVID-19 has been announced and provincial guidance has been provided, ordering information will be posted here. Please check back in mid to late April for updates.

Documentation

ImmsBC will not be available for documentation from April 1 to April 27, 2026. At that time, ImmsBC will transition to ImmsBC 2.0

If vaccination is required during this downtime:

• Affiliate and private LTC homes and assisted living (Non-Island Health Staff) should:
  • Use facility down time documentation procedures.
  • Document COVID-19 or Influenza doses administered into ImmsBC 2.0, when it is available.
  • Email BCVAX-Support@gov.bc.ca with questions.
     
• Island Health owned and operated LTC homes (Island Health Staff) should:
  • Document COVID-19 or Influenza doses administered using the Vaccine Recording Form.
  • Email this completed form to PPH Information Systems Team at pph.infosystems.support@islandhealth.ca
  • NOTE: PPH Info Systems will provide transcription support for Island Health facilities between April 1 to 27, only.

Reporting and clinic tally

All Long-Term Care and Assisted Living staff:  
Updated reporting and clinic tally information will be posted once the spring COVID-19 immunization campaign is announced. 

Prevnar 20 (PCV20), Pneumococcal Vaccine Program

• Respiratory season is an ideal time to review resident eligibility for Pneumococcal vaccine and communicate the importance of this vaccine to residents.
• As of July 2025, a new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine – Prevnar 20™ (PCV20) - has replaced both the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevnar® 13 (PCV13), and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, Pneumovax® 23 (PPV23).
• For clinical direction, refer to the BCCDC Prevnar20 Biological Products page and the PCV 20 Immunization Program Q&A
• Order Prevnar 20^TM: Publicly Funded Vaccine Order Form

BCCDC generic consent form

Consent for Vaccine for Adults Assessed as Incapable of Giving Informed Consent 

Reporting adverse events

Learn more about Reporting Adverse Events.

Outbreaks

• Toolkits for Infectious Diseases (for affiliate and private LTC facilities)
• Toolkit for VRI (for Island Health LTC Facilities)
• VRI Management Guideline for Long Term Care Facilities

Resources

• Facilities COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide
• HealthLinkBC: Influenza
• HealthLinkBC: COVID-19
• PCV20 Immunization Program Q&A
• Canadian Immunization Guide: Influenza Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for Health Professionals
• Immunization Communication Tool for COVID-19
• Island Health Influenza Prevention Policy
• Influenza Policy Information - Province of British Columbia
• BCCDC:Respiratory Virus Data
• Government of Canada: Snapshot: Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report (FluWatch+) — Canada.ca
• WHO: Flu Surveillance

Contacts

• Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Services
• Public Health Units
• Medical Health Officers