HAAC and ABSW operate a province-wide toll-free number for people of African descent to call and ask questions or seek resources to support their unique needs
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Free Routine Vaccines in Nova Scotia
Make vaccination part of Black health and your family’s wellness.
Black families 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.
More information about each of the vaccines can be found at www.immunize.ca.
Babies and Young Children
In the first few years of life, free vaccines are provided to protect Black 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 Black 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 Black youth 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. Black 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
Black individuals 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
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 Black 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.
People with High Risk Health Conditions
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.
About the Advisory Committee for Black Public Health
Due to anti-Black racism, social and economic factors, people of African descent are at a higher risk for getting sick and are disproportionately affected by severe illness and hospitalization.
The Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW), Health Association of African Canadians (HAAC), and other African Nova Scotian and Black community organizations work closely with health system leaders to develop strategies to build trust and improve health outcomes for people of African descent. Our key partners include Nova Scotia Health Public Health and the Department of Health and Wellness.
This partnership began during COVID-19, during which time Black community leaders worked to ensure people of African descent were represented at the table, and to support local access to resources. We are now transitioning pandemic work into long-term, meaningful improvements in health care access and quality of care for Black and African Nova Scotian communities, with a focus on the importance of vaccination as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
YourHealthNS App
Much of Nova Scotia's healthcare program and service information is now available on the YourHealthNS mobile app. Download for free on the Apple Store and Android Apps for Google Play.
