At mass clinics at Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health, every fall booster given to those 18+ is now the bivalent or combination vaccine.
Moderna’s Spikevax booster, which arrived in Canada earlier this month, targets two strains of COVID-19, unlike the regular vaccine that is still given to most children for their boosters.
Invitations are being sent by the province with priority for those at highest risk of developing severe symptoms and for health care workers.
Shawn Leatham picked up his souvenir at a Victoria clinic on Tuesday.  He works in a hospital and said the decision was ill-advised, explaining that he wanted to “help everyone else and keep myself healthy and safe as well.”
Marg Crowley was also reinforced at the same clinic.  She said she was glad she had the bivalent vaccine.
“I support it. I think the more people that are immunized, the better off we’re going to be, the faster we can get out and get on with life,” he told CTV News.
Officials know many people with three shots and a recent infection may think they don’t need another shot, but they’re urging everyone five and over to consider a fall booster.
Monica Stevenson, a public health clinical coordinator who oversees several mass immunization sites, said she understood vaccine fatigue, adding that the decline in deaths and hospitalizations related to COVID-19 was proof that the vaccines work.
“I know it’s hard for the public to wrap their heads around — once again, another vaccine. But look at the facts. Look at the evidence. We have a vaccine that works, and we’re trying to catch this virus before it catches us again.” he told reporters outside the Quadra Street clinic.
After infection, experts recommend waiting at least three months before getting the fourth dose of the vaccine.
most children will get a regular or childhood vaccine.  Pharmacies also have doses.
On Vancouver Island, staffing challenges mean clinics are not fully staffed.  Stevenson said that while levels varied by facility, appointments fill up fairly quickly.
Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and the Ministry of Health did not respond to CTV by deadline.
Pharmacies also have doses.
In a few weeks, British Columbians will be able to get a flu shot and a booster at the same time, and officials say it’s safe to do so, with no added side effects.
Whether this is the new normal, or whether a new vaccine for COVID-19 will be recommended every six months or so, doctors said it’s too early to know.