The goal of immunization programs is to offer protection against vaccine-preventable diseases in order to decrease harm and transmission.
Community Vaccine Providers, for information on COVID-19 and influenza please visit:
Community Vaccine Provider Responsibilities
- Follow BCCDC Immunization Manual guidelines
- Maintain cold chain and report any cold chain incidents to the local health unit
- All vaccines administered to individuals less than 19 must be reported to the local health unit when the vaccine is not documented into the Provincial Immunization Registry (i.e. Panorama, Pharmanet, ImmsBC or eForm) at time of administration
- Report adverse events following immunization to the local health unit
- Follow BCCDC Immunization Manual Guidelines
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The BCCDC Immunization Manual provides best practice guidelines to direct the provision of immunization services in British Columbia. The manual is updated regularly and it is the responsibility of each provider to ensure they are using the most current version. All updates are summarized in the Admin Circulars. To receive automated email updates when the manual is updated, enter your email address on this page.
- Management of Biologicals
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The BCCDC Immunization Manual: Appendix E provides guidelines on the management of biologicals. Additional information and resources can be found on the BCCDC Vaccine Management page. There is also a free 30-minute course on Vaccine Storage and Handling.
- Maintaining Vaccine Stability
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Vaccines are sensitive biological products. Protection of vaccine potency and stability is important.
The recommended temperature for vaccine storage and handling is between +2.0°C to +8.0°C at all times.
Record the minimum, maximum and current temperature of the vaccine fridge at the start and end of each business day using the Refrigerator Temperature Log. For more information, review these instructions.
A cold chain incident occurs when the minimum, maximum or current fridge temperature reading is outside +2.0°C to +8.0°C. If this happens, immediately quarantine the vaccine in a fridge maintained between +2.0°C to +8.0°C
and following these steps:
- Notify the local Health Unit Biological Products Monitor (BPM)
- Complete the Cold Chain Incident Form. For more information, review these instructions.
- Send completed form (email preferred) to the local Health Unit
- Keep vaccines quarantined in the fridge and await recommendations
- Ordering Vaccine
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To order vaccine, complete Publicly Funded Vaccine Order Form and fax to the local Health Unit.
- For information about ordering COVID-19 or influenza vaccine, please visit:
- Allow at least 3 working days (Monday to Friday) to fill your order
- Vaccine will be distributed based on available products and supply
- Orders will not be backfill orders, reordering as necessary
- The health unit may contact you if there are questions about the vaccine order
- Cold chain must be maintained to ensure potency of the vaccine. Bring a hard-sided cooler with ice packs and insulation material (e.g. cool gel packs) when picking up vaccine.
- Pharmacists, please see Pharmacist Access to Publicly Funded Vaccines for more information
- Reporting Immunizations to Public Health
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Immunizations administered to children less than 19 years of age must be reported to the local Health Unit when the vaccines are not entered directly into the Provincial Immunization Regisrty (i.e. Panorama, Pharmanet, ImmsBC, or eForm) at time of administration.
To report immunizations to Public Health, complete Report of Immunization of Children 0-18 Years by Community Vaccine Providers Form and fax to local Health Unit weekly.
- Reporting Adverse Events
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The BCCDC Immunization Manual: Part 5: Adverse Events Following Immunization provides guidance on reportable events. All adverse events following immunization that meet the reporting criteria must be reported to the local Health Unit.
When an adverse event following immunization is reported to you:
- Review the reporting criteria (Page 7)
- If the reaction meets the reporting criteria, complete the AEFI Case Report Form
See BCCDC Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) webpage for additional information on how to report an AEFI. An instructional video is also available: How to Complete the 2-Page AEFI Form
- Send completed form to the local Health Unit
Additional Resources
