ImmunizationsA to Z.
The vaccines recommended for adults, who each one is for, and how it is funded. Ask a pharmacist or your doctor which ones you are due for.
22 vaccines
Vaccines recommended for adults.
Many vaccines are free for adults depending on your age, health and other factors; others can be purchased. Funding shown is for British Columbia. Programs are similar across Canada but differ in the details, so check with your province or a pharmacist.
Chickenpox (varicella)
FreeAdults who have not had the vaccine or the disease.
Cholera and travellers' diarrheaDukoral
PurchaseRecommended for some destinations.
COVID-19
FreeAll adults. Also recommended during pregnancy.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Free if eligibleAdults with certain health conditions, including immunocompromising conditions.
Hepatitis A
Free if eligibleTravellers to many destinations, and adults with certain health conditions or risk factors.
Hepatitis B
Free if eligibleAdults born in 1980 or later who have not had it, health care workers, and some higher-risk groups.
HPV (human papillomavirus)
Free if eligibleAges 9 to 26, and certain groups aged 27 to 45.
Influenza (flu)
FreeAll adults, every year. Also recommended during pregnancy.
Japanese encephalitis
PurchaseRecommended for some destinations, especially rural or longer stays.
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
FreeAdults born in 1970 or later who have not had it.
Meningococcal B
Free if eligibleSome travellers and adults with certain health conditions.
Meningococcal quadrivalent conjugate
Free if eligibleAdults 24 and younger born in 2002 or later who have not had it, some travellers (for example Hajj or Umrah), and certain health conditions.
Mpox
Free if eligibleEligibility is set by the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Pertussis (whooping cough)Tdap
Free if eligibleOnce in adulthood, and in every pregnancy.
Pneumococcal conjugatePCV 20
FreeAge 65 and older, residents of care facilities, and some higher-risk groups.
Polio
Free if eligibleSome travellers and health care workers. A booster may be recommended for some destinations.
Rabies
PurchaseSome travellers, especially for long stays, rural travel or animal contact.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
Free if eligibleAdults 75 and older, and Indigenous adults 60 and older. Also recommended for some higher-risk adults and during pregnancy.
ShinglesShingrix
PurchaseAge 50 and older.
Tetanus and diphtheriaTd
FreeAll adults, with a booster every 10 years.
Typhoid
PurchaseRecommended for many destinations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Yellow fever
PurchaseRequired or recommended for some destinations in Africa and South America.
Sources: HealthLink BC: Recommended vaccines for adults (opens in a new tab); BCCDC: Vaccines in BC (opens in a new tab). Eligibility for free vaccines can change; a pharmacist or public health nurse will confirm.
Travelling soon?
See the vaccines commonly recommended for your destination.