Skip to main content

Immunizations

Jump To:

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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:

Nova Scotia School-Based Immunization Coverage Report for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 School Years (.pdf)

Back to Top

Early Childhood Immunization Clinics

To help support access to routine early childhood vaccines in Central Zone (Halifax Regional Municipality, Eastern Shore, West Hants) and Northern Zone (Colchester County and Municipality of East Hants, Cumberland County, Pictou County) Public Health’s Early Years program offers vaccine clinics for children who do not have a primary care provider, or 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)

See Nova Scotia’s routine immunization schedule for children, youth and adults.   

Upcoming Clinics in Central Zone (Appointments Required)
Additional clinics may be added as needed.   

Central Zone Public Health Office   
7 Mellor Avenue - Unit 5, Dartmouth 
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Clinics fill up quickly, please book early.

Call to book an appointment:
Phone: 902-481-4967   
Toll Free: 1-800-430-9557   

If you require assistance getting to the clinic, please mention this when you call to book your appointment.   

Additional immunization services, including routine childhood immunizations, are also offered at participating Nova Scotia pharmacies. Learn more - https://pans.ns.ca/CPPCC.

Upcoming Clinics in Northern Zone

Additional clinics may be added as needed. 

Truro   
Colchester East Hants Health Centre   
600 Abenaki Rd., Truro   
Public Health – Wing B 1st floor    
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month   
Call 902-893-5820 for booking

Amherst   
Amherst Public Health Office   
18 S Albion St”, Amherst   
1st and 2nd Wednesday of each month    
Call 902-667-3319 for booking

Oxford   
Oxford Medical Clinic   
111 Medawell Rd., Oxford   
4th Tuesday of every month    
Call 902-667-3319 for booking

New Glasgow   
1st week of the month;    
Westville Town Office   
2042 Queen St., Westville   
Call 902-752-5151 for booking

3rd week of the month;    
New Glasgow Public Health   
690 East River Rd., New Glasgow   
Call 902-752-5151 for booking 

Parrsboro 
Parrsboro Primary Health Care
76 Jenks Ave., Parrsboro
3rd Tuesday of every month
Call 902-667-3319 for booking

If you require assistance getting to the clinic, please mention this when you call to book your appointment.

Additional immunization services, including routine childhood immunizations, are also offered at participating Nova Scotia pharmacies. Learn more - https://pans.ns.ca/CPPCC.

Back to Top

Eastern Zone Measles and Early Childhood Immunization Clinics

Eastern Zone Public Health holds all-ages measles immunization clinics, and routine early childhood immunization clinics for children under five years old. These vaccines are also available through primary care providers, if you have one, and some pharmacy primary care clinics.

Early Childhood Immunization Clinics offer all routine vaccines to children under age 5. These clinics will also provide the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine for children between 6 months to 12 months old who are travelling. 

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinics offer measles-containing vaccines to all people who are due based on the routine vaccine schedule, as well as the following vaccines for eligible travellers:

  • 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.

  • 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

Additional immunization opportunities are available in other parts of the province. For more information, contact your local Public Health office.

Upcoming Clinics

Please book early as appointments are limited. 

Sydney Public Health Office
795 Alexandra St. – Suite 203, Sydney
Call to book an appointment: 902-563-2400

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Monday, April 15 from 9 – 4 p.m.

North Sydney Public Health Office
Northside General Hospital
520 Purves St., North Sydney
Call to book an appointment: 902-794-2009

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Monday, April 22 from 9 – 4 p.m.

Glace Bay Public Health Office
633 Main St., Glace Bay (Ground Floor)
Call to book an appointment: 902-842-4050

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Friday, April 19 from 9 – 4 p.m.

Antigonish Public Health Office
23 Bay St. – Suite 2N, Antigonish
Call to book an appointment: 902-867-4500 ext. 4800

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Thursday, April 11 from 9 – 4 p.m.

Inverness Public Health Office
Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
39 James St., Inverness
Call to book an appointment: 902-258-1920

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Monday, April 8 from 9 – 4 p.m.

Port Hawkesbury Public Health Office
708A Reeves St. - Unit 4, Port Hawkesbury
Call to book an appointment: 902-625-1693

All Ages Measles Immunization Clinic:
Monday, April 8 from 9 – 4 p.m.

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.

Back to Top

Influenza

Information about the seasonal influenza vaccine is available on the Department of Health and Wellness influenza website.

Learn more about influenza vaccine:

Back to Top

Mpox

Back to Top

Resources for Health Care Providers

Health care providers seeking information about immunizations, including immunization forms, should visit this website.

Back to Top

Accessing Primary Care

There are many ways to access primary care, even if you're not currently attached to a primary care provider.

Answer a few quick questions to receive personalized instructions for accessing Nova Scotia Health's primary care options near you including in-person, virtual and telephone options.

Get Started

Find Emergency Care

Use this tool to identify the emergency care options that are currently available nearest to you.

If this is a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance

Get Started

©2024 Nova Scotia Health Authority. All rights reserved.