VCH Travel Clinic and Vaccination Clinic

Frequently asked questions

• Do you perform the COVID-19 test or vaccines for travel?

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  No. We are not performing the COVID-19 test at our clinic. For a list of clinics that provide testing for travel, visit testing for COVID-19 on bccdc.ca. To get vaccinated for COVID-19, visit getting a COVID-19 vaccination on bccdc.ca.

• What services do you provide?

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  We provide:

  • travel health assessments,
  • travel prescriptions,
  • vaccinations and
  • travel products.

• When should I book my appointment?

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  If you are travelling, ideally you should book an appointment 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure. This will give you enough time to complete vaccines (including vaccines that require more than 1 dose). If you are leaving on short notice or are a last minute traveller we are happy to accommodate you to provide adequate coverage given the time allowed.

• What should I bring to my appointment?

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  Please bring the following:

  1. previous vaccination records (if applicable),
  2. list of current medications,
  3. CareCard or BC Services Card,
  4. travel itinerary (if applicable) and
  5. a method of payment (Visa, Mastercard, Debit, Amex)

• Are these services covered?

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  Travel medicine: Not subsidized by the government, including consultations and some travel vaccines.

  Vaccinations: Travel vaccinations are not covered by the government under your carecard (PHN – personal health number). Some extended health plans may cover vaccination costs. We do not do direct billing but will provide an itemized receipt.

   

• Why are there fees?

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  We are owned and operated by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The fees you pay cover the cost of the vaccines and clinic operations. We run on a cost recovery basis, which means that any profits we make go back into VCH public health funding.

• Can my family doctor provide these services?

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  Aside from some of the routine vaccinations, family doctors or walk-in clinics may not have travel vaccines in stock. Our medical staff provides travel prescriptions, routine and travel vaccinations, and travel products all in one place. We are a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This designation is required to provide the Yellow Fever vaccine, while family doctors and most other clinics do not have this special designation. The Ministry of Health has designated us as the Centre for Excellence in Travel Medicine for British Columbia as well.