Immunization protects people of all ages from a host of common, preventable diseases. With back-to-school season (not to mention respiratory virus season) just around the corner, this is a good time to ensure that you and your family members are up to date on your immunizations (also known as vaccinations).

Nova Scotia Public Health has an easy-to-use vaccination schedule that will help you ensure everyone in your family has the vaccines they need, when they need them. Vaccines are safe and effective, but it’s normal to have questions. If you want more information, talk to your primary care provider or pharmacist, or call 811 for advice.

Babies and toddlers
Babies and toddlers receive routine vaccinations as part of their well-baby care during their first two years of life. These vaccines include:

• DTaP-IPV-Hib: prevents diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age
• RV: prevents rotavirus, given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age
• Pneumo Conj.: this pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate vaccine is given at 2, 4 and 12 months of age
• Men C Conj.: the meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine is given at 12 months
• MMRV: prevents measles, mumps, rubella and varicella; given at 12 and 18 months (can be given early if the child will be travelling to an area with a high rate of measles infections)
• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended every autumn for children 6 months and older; a child under 9 receiving their first flu vaccine will need 2 doses. Your care provider will let you know if your child should be vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Primary students

Children should also receive the following vaccine between the ages of 4 and 7:

• Tdap-IPV: to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio

Preteens
Grade 7 students receive free vaccines as part of Nova Scotia’s school vaccination program. These include:

• HPV: human papillomavirus vaccine; 2 doses
• Hepatitis B vaccine: 2 doses
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough) vaccine: 2 doses
• Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine (meningococcal groups A, C, Y and W 135): 2 doses
• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended every autumn

Additional vaccines are available for youth at higher risk for illness; talk to your family physician about options and availability.

Older teens
Students in their late teens need:

• flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine (annual)
• tetanus and diphtheria boosters (every 10 years)
• meningococcal meningitis (MenB) – essential for university or college students who will be living in group settings (also applies to camp counsellors, members of the military – anyone living in close quarters with other people). Ask your primary care provider or have the student check with their school’s health centre.

Adults
Adults should get:

• flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine (annual)
• Td booster (every 10 years) or TDaP (for all pregnant people, with each pregnancy)
• MMR booster (for those born between 1970 and 1986)
• Mpox vaccine (if applicable)

Seniors
Adults 65 and older should look for the following:

• Enhanced flu shot; COVID-19 immunization (annual)
• Pneumococcal 20-valent conjugate vaccine
• Shingles vaccine (2 doses – note: this vaccine is now free for seniors)

Travellers
People travelling outside of Canada may encounter a number of vaccine-preventable diseases, including yellow fever, hepatitis A and malaria. Even if you’re travelling to common winter getaway destinations, it’s worth checking the Health Canada travel vaccination website to see if vaccinations are recommended. Nova Scotia Public Health can help you get the vaccinations you need to travel safely, stay healthy and avoid bringing home an unwanted souvenir.

Tips
Thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns, many children didn’t receive the right vaccinations at the right time. If your child needs to catch up on their childhood vaccinations, talk to your primary care provider, pharmacist or a Public Health representative. They’ll be happy to help you get back on track.

Common childhood vaccines are free. Many other vaccines are also free (such as flu or COVID-19 and vaccines recommended for older Nova Scotians), covered by private insurance or available at low cost. If you don’t have a family physician or primary care provider, look for a Nova Scotia Public Health immunization clinic near you. Vaccinations are safe and effective, and getting immunized against common, vaccine-preventable diseases is one important way that you can help keep your family, friends and neighbours safe.

If you hate getting needles, you’re not alone. Consult this post for more information on making immunizations easier for anyone who isn’t keen on needles.

Tracking immunization records used to be a hassle – but now it’s easy to access your immunization records through YourHealthNS or VaxRecordNS. When making an appointment for a vaccine, check the website first for quick and easy reminders of what shots you had, when.

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