An update on the Spring 2024 Covid Booster Campaign

On April 08, 2024, the Province announced the start of the 2024 Spring Covid Booster campaign for people to maintain and extend protection for themselves and their loved ones against serious illnesses from Covid 19.

This campaign for a provincially supplied Covid Booster will run from April 08, through June 30th.  As with previous vaccination campaigns, bookings can be made through the province's "Get Vaccinated" online platform, through the toll free provincial number: 1 833 838-2323, or by walking in to a pharmacy that has vaccine supply. At Heart Pharmacy, we are running vaccination clinics at our Fairfield, Shelbourne, Cadboro Bay, Sidney, Langford (St. Anthony's), and Esquimalt locations several days each week and are accepting walk ins starting April 09th. 

Aligned with advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C. health officials recommend that the following people consider receiving an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Adults aged 65 or older; 

  • Indigenous adults 55 and older; 

  • Adult residents of long term care homes and assisted living facilities,  

  • Individuals aged six months and older who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV 1 or 2 condition). 

  • All individuals who have not yet received an updated dose of the most recent Covid Booster vaccine (XBB 1.5 which became available in October 2023)

If you are not a part of one of the groups listed above, but are still interested in receiving a Covid Booster vaccine, the province has advised that all individuals who feel that they would benefit from an additional dose of the XBB1.5 Covid vaccine are eligible to receive one 6 months after their most recent booster dose. You can receive a vaccine by walking into a pharmacy with available supply. 

We have a number of appointments available across all of our pharmacy locations and will be accepting walk-ins from Tuesday April 09th.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make an appointment?

  • All appointments must be booked through GetVaccinated website or by phoning 1.833.838.2323. We cannot book them in at the pharmacy. 

  • Invitations will start going out on April 08th for those in priority groups (clinically extremely vulnerable) and then age to allow for advanced appointment booking. 

    • If you have questions about what group you fall into you can call the Get Vaccinated Help Line at 1-833-838-2323

    • A public booking URL will be published later in the campaign after priority group invites are sent. 

Can I walk in for a booster shot?

  • Heart is currently accommodating walk-ins, across all locations on days that it has vaccination clinics. To confirm that a vaccination clinic is running on your preferred day you can contact the pharmacy or email vaccinations@heartpharmacy.com.

What Covid Shots are available?

  • The current vaccination is the XBB 1.5. more details can be found at this link.

  • All heart pharmacy locations currently have vaccinations manufactured by both Pfizer and Moderna

  • Novovax Covid vaccinations are available only at the Heart Pharmacy Shelbourne location.

Who can get a COVID shot in the Pharmacy?

  • The COVID  booster will be available on or after April 08th.

  • The COVID  booster can be received by anyone over 6mos of age, but we can only provide the injections in pharmacies to those >12 years old.

Does Heart Pharmacy have a Masking Requirement?:

  • If you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you reschedule your appointment by calling the GetVaccinated HelpLine

  • Otherwise we do not have a strict masking requirement at this time but have masks avaialble upon request.