What Vaccines are Covered by MSI?: A Complete Guide

Getting vaccines is a fundamental way people in Nova Scotia protect their health. Nova Scotia Public Health has a vaccine schedule designed to ensure you get MSI-covered vaccinations at key points in your life, whether it be in infancy or adulthood. It’s important to get these vaccines at the right time to ensure coverage isn’t an issue.

There’s many vaccines available on the market currently, so many ask the same question: “What vaccines are covered by MSI?”  

Here’s a breakdown of which vaccines are covered, who they’re for, and where you can get them.

Vaccines Covered by MSI for Babies

Nova Scotia’s immunization schedule starts right from birth. These early vaccines protect infants from serious illnesses during their most vulnerable years and help build strong immunity early in life. The following vaccines are covered by MSI for babies:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine

• COVID-19 vaccine

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization

• Combination vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type B

• Rotavirus vaccine, which guards against severe diarrhea and dehydration

• Pneumococcal vaccine, helping prevent certain types of pneumonia and ear infections

• Meningococcal type C vaccine, which prevents meningitis and bloodstream infections

• MMR-Varicella (measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) vaccine

Vaccines Covered by MSI for Children

As kids grow, they need additional doses and booster shots to maintain their immunity. MSI covers the following vaccines for school-aged children:

• HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which helps prevent certain cancers and genital warts

• Hepatitis B vaccine, offering protection from a serious liver infection

• Meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which expands protection to additional strains of meningococcal disease

• Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough), recommended around middle school age

Vaccines Covered by MSI for Adults

Adults also benefit from routine immunizations, whether to maintain existing protection or update immunity against new strains. MSI provides coverage for:

• Annual flu shots

• COVID-19 vaccines

• Tdap booster, especially important for adults who may be around infants

• Tetanus (Td) boosters, recommended every ten years

• MMR vaccine, for those who missed doses earlier in life or weren’t fully immunized

If you’re unsure whether you’re up to date on these vaccines, your healthcare provider can check your records and recommend any necessary catch-up doses.

Vaccines Covered by MSI for Seniors

As we age, our immune systems tend to weaken, making certain infections more dangerous. Nova Scotia’s MSI program includes several vaccines for protecting older adults:

• Enhanced influenza vaccine, designed to offer stronger protection for people over 65

• Pneumococcal vaccine, which helps prevent pneumonia and other serious bacterial infections

• Shingles vaccine, reducing the risk of the painful rash caused by the same virus that triggers chickenpox

• COVID-19 vaccines, available through seasonal programs such as the spring rollout

• RSV immunization, free beginning September 15, 2025, for long-term care residents aged 60 and up, and all adults aged 75 and older

Need a vaccine not covered by public health plans? Browse private health insurance quotes for free online!

Where to Get Routine Vaccinations Covered by MSI

You can get your routine, MSI-covered vaccines at:

1. Your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner)

2. Participating pharmacies, which often provide adult vaccines like flu and COVID-19 shots

3. Public Health Immunization Clinics, which serve all age groups and can assist if you don’t have a regular healthcare provider

Will MSI Cover Out-of-Province Immunization?

If you receive a vaccine while temporarily outside Nova Scotia, coverage depends on where and why it’s given.

• In Another Canadian Province: If you’re away temporarily and get a vaccine in another province, MSI may reimburse certain vaccines, but generally only for emergency or medically necessary immunizations.

• In Another Country: MSI does not typically cover vaccines given abroad. If you receive immunizations while traveling, you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket.

If you get vaccinated outside Nova Scotia, you should report it to Nova Scotia Public Health to ensure your vaccination history is accurate and accessible through the province’s online vax record system.