Public Health Resources for Black People

Want to help promote vaccination and Black health in your community? Check out the Black Health and Wellness Promotional Toolkit!

Free routine vaccines in Nova Scotia

Make vaccination part of Black health and your family’s wellness.

Black families in Nova Scotia are encouraged to stay up to date on free, routine vaccines. Vaccines are safe, effective, and have saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health intervention.

Routine vaccines are given at all stages of life, based on your age, risk factors, and other health and living conditions. You can find detailed information about Nova Scotia’s free, routine vaccines at www.nshealth.ca/immunizations, including how to access your vaccine records, or report vaccines you received in another province.

If you have questions about vaccines, your vaccine records, or how to get a vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or call your local Public Health office. They are there to help you and your family stay healthy.

Where can my family get vaccines for free?

During cold and flu season, seasonal vaccines are offered at Black Health and Wellness Immunization Clinics. This fall's clinics are listed at the bottom of this page. These clinics are held in culturally competent spaces, and interpretation services are available.

Public Health also offers free, routine vaccines year-round in their offices and communities across the province. You can find out where clinics are happening on the following pages:

• Public Health Immunization Clinics
• Public Health Mobile Units 

You can also contact your local Public Health Office to book an appointment, call your primary care provider, or go to a community pharmacy primary care clinic. 

Why is vaccination so important for Black families?

Due to anti-Black racism and social and economic factors, people of African descent are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and chronic disease. 

Black people are disproportionately affected by many serious health conditions, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and others. 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.

What other steps can Black families take to stay healthy?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent certain illnesses, but you can take other steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness in your home and community. Consider the following in addition to vaccination for your family’s health and wellness:

• Stay home when you’re sick, and wear a mask if you need to go out while you have symptoms.
• Wash your hands regularly, especially if you or someone in your household is sick.
• Ensure your diet includes lots of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins (like chicken and fish).
• Build exercise into your weekly routine. Depending on your level of mobility, this can include going for walks, swimming, playing sports and much more.
• Focus on self-care. Take breaks, speak with mental health professionals, embrace your community and build a network of people you can rely on. 

What is the Advisory Committee for Black Public Health?

The Advisory Committee for Black Public Health is a collaborative group of healthcare and community organizations, working together to improve access and quality of healthcare for Black and African Nova Scotian communities. This committee highlights the importance of vaccination as part of a healthy lifestyle to improve health outcomes. They also emphasize other steps Black families can take to stay healthy and thrive.

Members of this committee include the Association of Black Social Workers, Health Association of African Canadians, United African Canadian Women’s Association, African United Baptist Association and other community organizations. Key healthcare partners include Nova Scotia Health Public Health and the Department of Health and Wellness.