COVID-19 Spring Vaccine Dose

March 24, 2025

People at highest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can book a second vaccine dose – if it’s been at least three months since their last dose or known infection – starting today, March 24.

The spring dose will be available from March 31 to June 30. The children’s COVID-19 vaccine for those aged six months to 11 years is available until June 17.

Nova Scotia is following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to provide people at highest risk a spring dose. This includes:

• people 65 years of age or older
• people aged 18 and older living in long-term care, nursing homes, senior congregate living settings or residential care facilities
• people six months and older who meet the criteria for being moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment
• people aged 50 years and older who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian or First Nations.

“It is recommended that those with the highest risk of infection get a second dose to prevent severe illness,” said Dr. Jesse Kancir, Nova Scotia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health. “People who aren’t in that high-risk category and are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines are still well protected.”

People who did not receive a dose in the fall or winter can continue to get the vaccine, even if they are not in the high-risk category. Anyone who has never had a COVID-19 vaccine can also do so.

COVID-19 and influenza symptoms can include a sudden high fever, headache, general aches and pains, fatigue and weakness, a runny, stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat.

Appointments can be booked online athttps://novascotia.ca/vaccination . Those who are unable to book online can schedule an appointment by calling 1-833-797-7772, seven days a week.

Quick Facts:

• the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are updated annually to protect against the latest strains of influenza and COVID-19
• children younger than nine years old who have never had an influenza vaccine should receive two doses four weeks apart
• Nova Scotians can access their vaccine records via the YourHealthNS app and online at https://vaxrecordns.nshealth.ca

Additional Resources:

More information on vaccines and bookings for both influenza and COVID-19 is available at: https://www.nshealth.ca/seasonal-vaccines

More information on influenza: https://novascotia.ca/flu

More information on COVID-19 and testing: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirusvaccine

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