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Find information about the COVID-19 Vaccine.
Find information about measles.
Immunization Record Requests
To request immunization records from Public Health for all vaccines (other than the COVID-19 vaccine), complete this form and follow the instructions on the last page to submit your request or visit VaxRecordNS to access some records online.
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Free Routine Vaccines in Nova Scotia
You are recommended to receive all routine vaccines, which are given for free in Nova Scotia. Routine vaccines begin at two months old and continue all our lives. The vaccine schedule for all ages can be found at this link. Other vaccines may be recommended for those who have certain risk factors, and you can talk to your health care provider or call your Public Health office for more information. Most routine vaccines are given by family doctors and nurse practitioners, and some are given by pharmacies or Public Health.
Detailed information about each vaccine can be found at www.immunize.ca.
Babies and young children
In the first few years of life, free vaccines are provided to protect children from over a dozen diseases:
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough (pertussis), Polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Rotavirus
- Pneumonia
- Meningococcal disease type C
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chickenpox (varicella)
Some of these, like diphtheria, polio, or tetanus, can be serious but are rare because vaccines have been very successful in preventing these diseases from spreading. Other diseases, like pneumonia or whooping cough are more common but can be equally as serious. Vaccines help keep children healthy by preventing these diseases or making the infection milder.
Youth
Because of their age and activities, youth have different risk factors compared to children, so additional vaccines are offered for free in grade 7 to protect young people against:
- HPV (human papilloma virus)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal disease types A, C, W, and Y
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) (the “Tdap” vaccine)
These vaccines are given as part of the School Immunization Program. If missed, they can be received up to and including 18 years of age. Youth should also continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine as recommended.
The Meningococcal B vaccine is offered for free to certain youth aged 25 years and under who are moving into a large group living setting with other young adults for the first time, like a university dorm or residence. More information is available here.
Adults
People in Nova Scotia should continue to receive vaccines throughout adulthood to maintain their long-term health and wellness and protect their loved ones.
Vaccines given in adulthood include:
- Influenza vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Tdap vaccine
- Tetanus boosters (Td vaccine)
- MMR vaccine
The schedule outlines how often these vaccines should be received in adulthood. Tdap vaccine should be given in every pregnancy to help protect the baby once it’s born.
Seniors (65 and older)
As you age, infections may make you sicker and it may take you longer to recover and get back to the activities you enjoy.
The following vaccines are offered to adults aged 65 years and older to keep them healthier, longer.
- High-dose influenza vaccine, which protects against influenza with a higher dose that works better in older adults
- Pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia caused by many strains of the pneumococcal bacteria
Older adults should also continue to get tetanus boosters and COVID-19 vaccines.
People with High-Risk Health Conditions
People with certain health conditions, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and others, may qualify for additional vaccines for free. Conditions like these put people at higher risk for severe illness from vaccine-preventable infections.
Publicly funded vaccines vary based on different health conditions. You can find a full list of available vaccines for people with high-risk conditions at this link.
Additional resources:
If you are seeking a receipt of your COVID-19 vaccination, click here for instructions.
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School Immunization Program
Grade 7 students across Nova Scotia receive four vaccinations. Public Health offers these vaccinations in schools through partnership with local school boards.
2023-2024 School Immunization Clinics:
Please contact the school for clinic dates in Eastern and Western Zones.
Resources for parents and students:
- School Immunization Program Information Guide:
- What to Expect After Your Child is Immunized:
- Immunization Consent Form and Instructions
Nova Scotia School-Based Immunization Coverage Report for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 School Years (.pdf)
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Public Health Immunization Clinics
Please see the map below for all upcoming clinics.
Early Childhood Immunization Clinics - Central, Northern and Eastern Zones
To help support access to routine early childhood vaccines. Public Health’s Early Years program offers vaccine clinics for children who do not have a primary care provider. In Central and Northern Zones, support is also available for children who do not have an MSI number (health card).
These vaccines are publicly funded, which means families do not have to pay to immunize their children.
Early Years clinics offer the following vaccines:
- DTaP-IPV-Hib (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine)
- RV (Rotavirus)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine
- MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine)
- Tdap-IPV (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), and polio vaccine)
Eastern Zone All Ages Measles Immunization Clinics
Eastern Zone Public Health offers measles-containing vaccines to all people who are due based on the routine vaccine schedule, as well as the following vaccines for eligible travellers:
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1 dose of MMR vaccine for infants between 6 months and 12 months old
Children who receive a measles vaccine for travel between 6 months and 12 months old require two doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (MMRV) vaccine after their first birthday to complete the routine series and be fully protected.
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1 dose of MMR vaccine for adults and adolescents without measles immunity
People are considered to have measles immunity if they have had a previous lab-confirmed measles infection, or have been vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine.
Routine vaccine schedules
Access your vaccine records
Learn more about measles
Information for all Public Health clinics:
- Please bring your health card with you, if you have one.
- Immunization clinics are healthcare environments. Masks are required and will be offered upon entry to the clinic.
- Clinics may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
These vaccines are also available through primary care providers, if you have one, and some pharmacy primary care clinics. Additional immunization services, including routine childhood immunizations, are also offered at participating Nova Scotia pharmacies. Learn more - https://pans.ns.ca/CPPCC.
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Influenza
Information about the seasonal influenza vaccine is available on the Department of Health and Wellness influenza website.
Learn more about influenza vaccine:
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Mpox
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Resources for Health Care Providers
Health care providers seeking information about immunizations, including immunization forms, should visit this website.
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