Vaccines Funded By
NB Public Health

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can affect anyone, but it’s especially dangerous for older adults and people with chronic health conditions. It can lead to complications like:

• Lung damage
• Hospitalization
• Blood infections (sepsis)
• In rare cases, death

Pneumococcal disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria that can infect the lungs (pneumonia), blood, and brain (meningitis).

Why get vaccinated?
The pneumonia vaccine helps prevent these serious infections, especially in adults aged 65+ or those with weakened immune systems. It lowers your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from respiratory infections—particularly during flu and cold season.

Who should get it?

• Adults 65 years and older
• People with chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, asthma, COPD)
• Smokers or individuals with weakened immune systems

Cost and Access:
The pneumonia vaccine is free for New Brunswick residents aged 65 and older. If you’re younger and at risk, ask your pharmacy team whether you qualify or if you should consider vaccination.

Tdap protects against three serious diseases:

• Tetanus (lockjaw): Caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, or manure that enters the body through cuts or wounds. It can cause painful muscle stiffness and spasms, and without treatment, it can be life-threatening.
• Diphtheria: A serious throat infection that can block airways, cause heart failure, or lead to nerve damage. It spreads easily through coughing or sneezing.
• Pertussis (whooping cough): A highly contagious respiratory disease that causes severe coughing fits, making it hard to breathe or sleep. It is especially dangerous for babies under 1 year old.

Why get vaccinated?
Protection from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. Getting a Tdap booster as an adult helps protect not only you but also vulnerable people around you—especially infants who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Who should get it?

• Adults who have never received a Tdap booster in adulthood (recommended once every 10 years)
• Pregnant individuals during each pregnancy (preferably between 27 and 32 weeks) to pass protection on to their newborn
• Adults in close contact with infants, like parents, grandparents, and childcare workers

Cost and Access:
Publicly funded for eligible individuals. If you’re not eligible for a free dose, you can still get vaccinated—just ask our pharmacy team for pricing and recommendations.

Appointments start October 14, 2025

RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, for older adults and individuals with certain chronic health conditions, RSV can lead to more severe illness, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and in some cases, death.

Who should consider the RSV vaccine?

• Adults 75 years and older, especially those with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.
• Adults 60 to 74 years old who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities.
• Adults 50 to 59 years old with chronic health conditions that put them at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

What are the available RSV vaccines?

There are several RSV vaccines approved for use in Canada:

• AREXVY: Approved for adults 60 years and older, with an expanded indication for adults 50 to 59 years old at increased risk.
• ABRYSVO: Approved for adults 60 years and older, and also for pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks gestation to protect their infants.

 
Why get vaccinated?

Receiving the RSV vaccine can help protect against severe respiratory illness caused by RSV, reducing the risk of hospitalization and complications, particularly during the RSV season, which typically runs from November to April in Canada.

Cost and Access:

This vaccine is publicly-funded for New Brunswick residents aged 75 years and older who have not yet received one.  Anyone less than 75 years old may still receive the vaccine which may be partially covered by private insurance plans. Speak to a pharmacy team member to see if you’re eligible and to learn more about cost coverage.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. While many people clear the virus on their own, certain strains can cause serious health problems, including:

• Cervical, anal, penile, mouth, and throat cancers
• Genital warts

Why get vaccinated?
The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and the only vaccine proven to prevent cancer. It protects against the most dangerous strains of the virus and can help reduce the risk of developing HPV-related diseases later in life.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

• Everyone aged 9 to 26
• Adults aged 27 and older who are sexually active or at ongoing risk
• Pregnant individuals (the vaccine is safe during pregnancy)
• People who received earlier versions of the vaccine may benefit from the updated one

The number of doses required depends on your age and health status—our pharmacy team can help determine what’s right for you.

Cost and Access:
Publicly funded for eligible individuals, including:

• New Brunswick residents 18 to 26 years of age who has not been previously immunized against HPV
• Immunocompromised individuals 18 to 45 years of age, including those living with HIV
• Individuals 18 to 45 years of age who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) community.

If you’re not eligible for a free dose, you can still get vaccinated—just ask our pharmacy team for pricing and recommendations.

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can reactivate later in life, especially if your immune system is weakened.

What does shingles feel like?
Shingles typically causes a blistering rash on one side of the body, often accompanied by burning, itching, or sharp pain. Even after the rash heals, some people experience long-term nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia), which can be severe and debilitating. If the rash affects the face or eyes, it may lead to vision loss or other complications.

Who should get the shingles vaccine?

• Adults 50 years and older and who haven’t had shingles in the past 12 months
• Adults 18 years and older with weakened immune systems

Cost and Access:
This vaccine is not part of New Brunswick’s Routine Immunization Schedule, but may be partially covered by private insurance plans. Speak to a pharmacy team member to see if you’re eligible and to learn more about cost coverage.

Meningitis B is a serious infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It can lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), blood infections (sepsis), and in severe cases, death—often within hours if left untreated.

What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms can look like the flu but progress quickly and include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or difficulty waking

Who is at higher risk?

• Teens and young adults aged 15 to 24
• People living in close quarters, such as university dorms
• Individuals with certain health conditions or those exposed during an outbreak

Why get vaccinated?
Even though meningitis B is rare, it can progress rapidly and has a high risk of serious complications. The vaccine provides important protection for people at increased risk.

Cost and Access:
The Meningitis B vaccine is not part of New Brunswick’s Routine Immunization Schedule, but may be recommended in higher-risk situations. Some private insurance plans may help cover the cost. Talk to our pharmacy team to see if it’s right for you.