The Province of BC has released more details about the new BC Vaccine Card, which will be a digital or printed document that shows proof of vaccination for access to non-essential businesses and events.
The system, which goes into place starting next Monday, Sept. 13, will require people to provide proof of having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine issued on or before Aug. 31 (two weeks). By Oct. 24, you must be fully vaccinated with both doses.
How to get your BC Vaccine Card
Digital options:
- Visit gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard. Enter your Personal Health Number, date of birth, and date of vaccinations.
- Save your registration to your mobile device or print it out
- Use your phone or printed proof of vaccination when visiting social and recreational venues
Print options:
- If you lack a computer or mobile device, you can ask a friend or family member to assist you in printing out your BC Vaccine Card.
- You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Line at 1-833-838-2323 to have your printed card mailed to you.
- Visit one of the 64 Service BC Centres who can print your card for you.
You may also access your BC Vaccine Card through the Health Gateway portal.
How to use your BC Vaccine Card
When you arrive at a venue that requires proof of vaccination, have your digital or printed BC Vaccine Card ready. You will be asked to display your card, along with a piece of valid government photo ID. People 12 to 18 are not required to show ID.
Families and caregivers can carry a copy of their loved one's BC Vaccine Card with them, or save multiple vaccine cards to their mobile device.
Businesses will have two options to verify your BC Vaccine Card:
- Scan the QR code with an app from app store (Google, Apple)
- Visually verify your information
Businesses will be able to download an app called the BC Vaccine Card Verifier.
The app is only allowed to read COVID-19 vaccination information and no additional personal information will be shared or stored on the app or smartphone.
Timeline of implementation
Sept. 13, 2021: People will be required to show their proof of vaccination at higher-risk, non-essential social and recreational events.
Sept. 13 to Sept. 26: People will still be able to use the paper record provided from their vaccine appointment.
Sept. 27: The BC Vaccine Card will be the only accepted form of proof of vaccination.
Sept. 13 to Oct. 24, 2021: Partially (one dose, two weeks past the immunization date) and fully vaccinated people will be able to enter these settings and events.
Oct. 24, 2021: People will need to be fully vaccinated (both doses, two weeks past the immunization date) to enter these settings and events.
Although unvaccinated people will be unable to visit social and recreational venues, such as sporting events, concerts or recreational facilities, government services will remain unaffected by the vaccine card. As well, proof of vaccination will not be required to vote in-person in the Sept. 20 federal election or at advance polling locations.
Where will proof of vaccination be required?
- Restaurants, pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and outdoor dining)
- Organized indoor events with 50 or more people (e.g. wedding receptions, parties, conferences, workshops, etc.)
- Discretionary organized indoor group recreational classes and activities
- Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
- Fitness centres, gyms, adult sports (indoor)
- Indoor group exercise activities
- Night clubs, casinos, movie theatres
- Indoor ticketed sporting events
What happens if the province does not have my record of vaccination but I've received my vaccines?
As some Indigenous communities have run their own clinics in partnership with the FNHA and filed the data with their regional health authorities, this data may not show up in the Provincial Immunization Registry (PIR).
If you are missing doses, you can ask the organization that immunized you to upload the information via immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca. Service is also available by calling 1-888-COVID19 (268-4319).
Alternately, your community health nurse can reach out to the FNHA to have your missing dose entered into the PIR.
If you're vaccinated but lost your paper record, you can access your record through the Health Gateway portal.
How to get vaccinated
As of Sept. 5, nearly 70 per cent of all First Nations people in BC have had at least one dose of vaccine, while 58 per cent have had both doses. Although these numbers are slowly rising, these lag behind the rates of non-First Nations people in BC.
Reduced access to stable housing, income, clean water and/or health and social services place some Indigenous peoples at higher risk of COVID-19. The vaccine is one way that Indigenous (and other) people can protect themselves from this virus.
There are two ways to get vaccinated:
You can also register by phone at 1-833-838-2323 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day, with reduced hours on statutory holidays. Dial 711 if you are hearing-impaired.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, visit our regularly updated FAQs.
If you are a client or health care provider with client-specific questions or concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine and do not have access to a primary care provider, call First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day at 1-855-344-3800. Medical Office Assistants are available to help you seven days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Download this information in PDF format here.
