Jump To:
- Immunization Record Requests
- Publicly Funded Vaccines in Nova Scotia
- School Immunization Program
- Early Childhood Immunization Clinics
- Influenza
- Mpox
- Resources for Health Care Providers
Find information about the COVID-19 Vaccine.
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.
Publicly Funded 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.
Additional resources:
- Routine vaccine schedules
- Routine publicly funded vaccines and eligibility criteria
- Publicly funded vaccine eligibility for people at higher risk
If you are seeking a receipt of your COVID-19 vaccination, click here for instructions.
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:
- Central Zone - 2023-24 Web Calendar School Clinics (.pdf)
- Eastern Zone - 2023-24 Web Calendar Coming Soon
- Northern Zone - 2023-24 Web Calendar School Clinics (.pdf)
- Western Zone - 2023-24 Web Calendar Coming Soon
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)
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
Additional clinics may be added as needed.
Central Zone Public Health Office
7 Mellor Avenue - Unit 5, Dartmouth
Dec 6, 13, 20 (Full)
Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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
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.
Influenza
Information about the seasonal influenza vaccine is available on the Department of Health and Wellness influenza website.
Learn more about influenza vaccine:
Mpox
- Learn more about mpox
- Mpox Recommendations for Nova Scotians
- Learn more about the mpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE
- Mpox Smallpox Vaccine Aftercare Sheet
Resources for Health Care Providers
Health care providers seeking information about immunizations, including immunization forms, should visit this website.