Question:
Why aren't all vaccines free in BC?
Answer:
In BC, the Ministry of Health makes decisions to fund vaccine programs based on recommendations from the Communicable Disease Policy Advisory Committee. This expert scientific committee looks at the following:
- Statements issued by Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
- The published literature (studies about certain vaccines and diseases).
- The product monograph (information about the vaccine from the manufacturer).
- Provincial epidemiology (how often the disease occurs in different groups of people in the province).
- Available health economic analyses (an analysis of the costs and benefits of the vaccine).
Recommendations for new vaccine programs are then prioritized with other public health initiatives. As a result, not all vaccines approved for use in Canada are funded by the provincial government.
Date last reviewed:
Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022