Vaccines & Medication Injections
Before administering any injection, your pharmacist will assess whether it’s appropriate for you. Some vaccines may require a prescription but in many cases, pharmacists can prescribe it for you.
In Nova Scotia, licensed pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians who have completed approved training, hold current First Aid/CPR certification, and are authorized by the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator can give vaccines and injections safely.
Vaccines that can be provided in all pharmacies (no fee with valid Nova Scotia Health Card) include:
- Influenza (Flu) (no charge with Nova Scotia health card)
- Covid-19 (no charge with Nova Scotia health card)
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) 65+
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) 75+
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) Less than 25 Years Old in Congregate Living
- Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) 65+
Publically Funded Vaccines (MMR/Tetnaus)
These publically funded vaccines are available to eligible patients only at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics. Other pharmacies may offer these vaccines at a fee.
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap or Td)
For more information about eligibility for adults for the MMR and tetanus containing vaccines click here. Note: Grade 7 vaccines are only available in schools or by contacting public health directly.
Publicly Funded Vaccines (High Risk Program)
These publically funded vaccines are available to eligible patients only at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics. Other pharmacies may offer these vaccines at a fee.
Nova Scotia has a publicly funded program available for patients who are at high risk of acquiring vaccine preventable diseases. Patients who are immunocompromised, have some chronic conditions, or certain personal or occupational risk factors, may be eligible for additional vaccinations at no charge. Requirements for the eligibility of these vaccines can be highly individualized. Pharmacists are available to help navigate these programs via consultation. This service is available at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics. Please note it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks to order vaccines. Please call to book.
For more details concerning eligibility, click here.
Publically Funded Vaccines (Childhood Program)
These publically funded vaccines are available to eligible patients only at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics. Other pharmacies may offer these vaccines at a fee.
For more information about routine childhood vaccines that are publicly funded in Nova Scotia, click here.
Patient Pay Vaccines
This service is available to patients to provide access to vaccinations that are not publicly funded and patient must pay out of pocket. Note: Some vaccines are publicly funded for eligible patients only at Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinics. For further information and pricing information please, call the pharmacy.
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Under 65
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal (Meningitis) Over 25, or for travel
- Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Under 65
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Under 75
- Inactivated poliovirus (Polio)
- Yellow Fever*
- Typhoid Fever
- Rabies**
- Japanese Encephalitis**
*Must be prescribed and provided at a Designated Health Canada Yellow Fever Vaccination Center Center or other approved designation to provide this service.
** Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines require a prescription from a pharmacist with a Certificate in Travel Health, a physician or Nurse Practitioner.
Medication Injection Administration
Please call to discuss booking. The name of the medication or vaccine will be required.
If you do not already have a prescription from another provider, an initial appointment—often conducted by phone—may be required for the pharmacist to assess and prescribe the medication or vaccine. A second appointment will then be scheduled for administration, after you have picked up the medication or vaccine from the pharmacy dispensary of your choice.
Pharmacists can also administer injectable medications such as vitamin B12, Prolia, Depo-Provera, Sublocade, antipsychotics, testosterone, injections for hormone replacement and many more. Funding does not include injections of insulin, epinephrine, low molecular weight heparins or auto-injectors designed for patient self-injection.
Tip
If you are eligible for a publicly funded routine adult or childhood vaccination, or a vaccination through the High Risk Program, please contact a Community Pharmacy Primary Care Clinic location. These vaccinations are available at no charge with a valid Nova Scotia health card at participating locations.
Patients from outside the province should contact their local pharmacy to confirm vaccine eligibility.
Medication injections are also available at no charge with a valid Nova Scotia health card. See below for more information regarding vaccine injections.
Book your Flu, COVID, RSV, Shingles, Pneumococcal or Meningococcal vaccine
All appointments to receive these vaccines in pharmacy must be made through CanImmunize.
