Clinical Practice Supports image

Immunizer Education

Education resource designed to support health care providers who will be supporting immunization in Nova Scotia, including publicly funded vaccinations to residents in Long Term Care.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Primary Series

A primary series is an initial dose of COVID-19 vaccine administered to induce an immune response and provide initial protection. Refer to the COVID-19 vaccine flow chart or connect with the Vaccine consult service if your patient has vaccine specific questions.

The recommended interval from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose OR test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and a Fall/Winter dose is 168 days (6 months); however, a shorter interval of 84 days (3 months) may be used.

Additional Doses

Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine received after completing the primary series are called additional doses. These additional doses are administered to restore protection that may have decreased over time in individuals expected to have initially achieved an adequate response to their primary series. Whether it's an additional dose or a primary series, patients can be offered a different COVID-19 vaccine than the one they received previously. It’s safe and effective to do so. 

Select a tab for more information 

Select a tab for more information 

Select a tab for more information 

Select a tab for more information 

Influenza Vaccines

Influenza (flu) in humans is a respiratory infection caused primarily by influenza A and B viruses. Seasonal influenza epidemics occur annually in Canada, generally in the late fall and winter months.

The flu vaccine is your best defense against the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended every year in the fall or winter, ideally before the flu season starts. Almost everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine protects you by:

  • Helping prevent serious flu-related complications.
  • Reducing your chances of getting the flu at the same time as other respiratory illnesses, which could make you very sick.
  • Protecting the health care system from becoming overwhelmed during respiratory illness season.

People 6 months of age and older can get their flu vaccine:

  • At the same time as other vaccines.
  • Anytime before or after other vaccines.

Adults and children 9 years of age and older should receive 1 dose of flu vaccine each year.

Children from 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have never had a flu vaccine before should receive 2 doses. 

Every year, different strains of flu circulate during the flu season. In addition:

  • Flu viruses can change over time.
  • Protection from the flu vaccine wears off over time.