QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department is working with reduced space, which may lead to delays for those with less urgent concerns. Learn more here.
Nova Scotia Health has made changes to parking and the main entrance of the QEII Halifax Infirmary. Learn more.
Public Health supports and facilitates access to free, routine vaccines in Nova Scotia. This includes bringing vaccines into the province through our Provincial BioDepot and distributing them to providers, including physicians, primary care providers and pharmacists. We also hold clinics in our offices and in communities to ensure people have an opportunity to receive their routine vaccines and stay on schedule.
On this page you will find helpful information about free, routine vaccines and links to helpful resources. You can learn more about specific Public Health immunization services on the following pages, or by contacting your local Public Health Office.
Immunization Record Requests
Vaccination records can be found online through VaxRecordNS. To access this site, visit yourhealthns.ca/records or go to the ‘records’ section of the YourHealthNS App.
You can also request a hard copy of your immunization records from Public Health, which will include all vaccines available in their system, excluding COVID-19 vaccines. Please complete this form and follow the instructions on the last page to submit your request.
Free Routine Vaccines in Nova Scotia
You are recommended to receive *all routine vaccines that you are eligible for, which are given for free in Nova Scotia. Routine vaccines begin at two months old and continue all our lives. The routine 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 local Public Health office for more information. Most routine vaccines are given by family doctors and nurse practitioners, and some are given by pharmacists or Public Health.
*In rare cases, some vaccines may not be recommended for people who have medical conditions or are taking certain medications. Always review your medical history with a vaccine provider before getting immunized.
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 polio, can be serious but are rare in Canada because vaccines have been very successful in preventing these diseases from being acquired and/or 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 papillomavirus)
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal disease types A, C, W, and Y
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) booster (the “Tdap” vaccine)
These vaccines are given as part of the School Immunization Program. If missed, they can be received for free until the person turns 19. Youth should also continue to receive their COVID-19 vaccine as recommended. Youth who missed their grade 7 vaccines can call their local Public Health office to schedule catch-up vaccines.
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 booster vaccine
- Tetanus boosters (Td vaccine)
- MMR vaccine
The vaccine 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 they’re 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.
- Enhanced influenza vaccine, which offers better protection for older adults.
- Pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against pneumonia caused by many strains of the pneumococcal bacteria
- COVID-19 vaccines as part of the spring program
Older adults should also continue to get tetanus boosters and COVID-19 vaccines.
Book a pneumococcal vaccine online
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.
Helpful Resources
- Routine vaccine schedules
- Infographic: Routine Vaccines in Nova Scotia
- Routine publicly funded vaccines and eligibility criteria
- Publicly funded vaccine eligibility for people at higher risk
- Contact the Halifax Sexual Health Centre for mpox immunization