Seasonal Vaccines

Seasonal vaccines protect against respiratory illnesses that cause symptoms like coughing, sore throats, nasal and chest congestion. Illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 can lead to serious complications for some people, especially those with weakened immune systems. 

We invite everyone in Nova Scotia who is eligible to get free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines to protect yourself, your family and your community from these common respiratory illnesses. These vaccines are safe and effective for everyone aged 6 months and older. 

Nova Scotia is offering an additional dose of the COVID‑19 vaccine this spring for people at higher risk of severe illness. Details about eligibility and timing can be found here on the COVID-19 Vaccine page.

How do I book a vaccine appointment?

Physicians and Primary Care Providers

Call your physician or primary care provider to book an appointment. Be sure to ask if they are offering COVID-19 vaccines in addition to standard and seniors influenza vaccines.

Pharmacies and Public Health Mobile Units 

Book your vaccine appointment online or call 1-833-797-7772. If you do not have a Nova Scotia health card, please call to schedule your appointment rather than booking online.

Drop-in clinics are also offered by the Public Health Mobile Unit. Click the links to find out when they'll be in your area.

Nova Scotians can also book these vaccines through YourHealthNS. 

Please note: Public Health Mobile Unit offers a variety of vaccines, including COVID-19. Influenza vaccines will be offered again in the fall.

What seasonal vaccines are offered?

COVID-19 Vaccine: Nova Scotia offers COVID-19 vaccines for people who are eligible, including an additional dose for people at higher risk for severe illness.

Find out more: www.nshealth.ca/coronavirusvaccine

Standard Influenza Vaccine: Nova Scotia offers a standard influenza vaccine for everyone aged 6 months to 64 years old, which provides great protection. 

Seniors Influenza Vaccine: Nova Scotia offers an enhanced influenza vaccine, also called the ‘seniors influenza vaccine, to seniors aged 65 and older. This product is different from the standard influenza vaccine and is shown to have better protection for people in this age range who are more likely to experience severe illness from influenza. 

Find out more: novascotia.ca/flu

RSV immunization: See details below under “What should I know about RSV immunization?”

Is it safe to get these vaccines at the same time?

It is safe and recommended to receive the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines at the same time. 

If you are 75 years and older you can receive your one dose of RSV vaccine along with COVID-19 and influenza. People may consider waiting 6 weeks between the RSV vaccine and routine vaccines. However, if access is a concern or the opportunity to immunize might be missed, RSV can be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, all other routine vaccines.

Can I schedule vaccine appointments for more than one person?

Yes, you can reach out to your primary care provider to schedule appointments for your immunizations. You can also book vaccines online or by phone for up to six people at a time, making it easier for families who would like to get their vaccines in one appointment. This saves you time while booking, and saves you extra trips to vaccine appointments for all members of your family.

Can I reschedule an appointment I have booked on CANImmunize?

Yes, you can reschedule your appointment by clicking on the "Manage My Appointment" button on your appointment confirmation email and then clicking the "Reschedule Appointment" button on the appointment summary screen.

Will I be able to choose the brand I want for my COVID-19 vaccine?

All COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing severe illness. Brands will not be listed online during booking, which is consistent with other routine vaccines. If you are concerned about receiving a particular brand of vaccine, please speak to your provider. It’s important to note that providers may not be able to accommodate special requests.

The brand you received will be listed on your vaccine record, which you can access online through VaxRecordNS, or the ‘records’ section of the YourHealthNS App.

What if I am homebound and not able to go to a vaccination clinic?

Continuing care offers some in-home vaccination options for clients that are homebound. The toll-free number for information for Continuing Care is 1-800-225-7225. This number operates between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., seven days a week. Call to learn more about what options may be available for you. Please note that while COVID-19 in-home vaccinations are available to all who meet screening criteria, in-home influenza vaccines are limited to people already receiving other Continuing Care services.

Why should I get vaccinated?

Every year COVID-19 and influenza vaccine strains change. Even if you are otherwise healthy, respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and influenza can make you very sick. You can also pass these illnesses on to others, who may be more at risk for severe illness, like seniors, people with compromised immune systems, or people living in long-term care. Getting up to date influenza and COVID-19 vaccines helps protect you, your family and your community.

What should I know about RSV immunization?

RSV vaccination for older adults

The following older adults are eligible to receive one dose of the RSV vaccine for free:

• Adults aged 60 and older living in long-term care facilities, or hospitalized and awaiting placement in long-term care
• Older adults aged 75 and older

Older adults can get the vaccine year-round, but it’s recommended to receive it in the early fall before RSV is spreading.

RSV vaccines for older adults are offered by pharmacists, primary care providers and Public Health. 

RSV immunization for infants and babies

Infant RSV immunization has concluded for the 2025/2026 respiratory season. It will be offered again in the fall for babies who are eligible. Details will be available closer to the start of the program.

Eligibility for infant RSV immunization:

• Babies younger than 8 months - one dose given during their first RSV season
• Babies and children younger than 24 months who are at high risk of RSV - one dose given during each of their first and second RSV seasons

When the program restarts, RSV immunization for babies born during the RSV season will be offered in hospital. All other eligible babies and children will be able to get immunized by their primary care provider. Public Health can help with eligible babies who don’t have a regular healthcare provider. 

Please note: In Nova Scotia, pregnant people are not eligible for free RSV immunization, but they may choose to pay for it privately. If you get the vaccine more than two weeks before giving birth and your baby is not at high risk for severe RSV disease, your baby won’t be eligible for the free RSV immunization because they’ll already be protected. For more information, talk to a healthcare provider.

Are there any other vaccines that I should consider at this time?

Parents should make sure their children are up to date on their childhood and school age immunizations, and adults should ensure they are up to date on all other routine vaccines. 

People aged 65 and older, and those with certain health risks or conditions, are eligible to receive a free pneumococcal vaccine. You can book this vaccine by calling your primary care provider, or you can book with a participating pharmacy online or by calling 1-833-797-7772.

More information about free, routine vaccines can be found at www.nshealth.ca/immunizations.