New Brunswickers get access to updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines starting October 13. The province offers these shots for free to anyone aged six months and older.

Dr. Yves Léger, the province’s chief medical officer of health, strongly recommends both vaccines for people at high risk of severe infection. This includes adults aged 65 and older, residents of long term care homes, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.

“With respiratory illness season approaching, vaccination is an important step people can take to protect their health and help protect others,” Léger said in a recent news release. “Receiving both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the chance of becoming seriously ill, requiring hospitalization and spreading illness to others.”

How to Book Your Appointment

Schedule your vaccination through the provincial government website or by contacting a participating community pharmacy. Many primary care providers also offer the vaccines. Healthcare providers administer both the COVID-19 and flu shots during the same visit.

Children receive vaccinations through their primary care provider or a local Public Health office. Some pharmacies also vaccinate children aged two and older. For children between two and 17 years old who fear needles, request FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine for influenza.

RSV and Pneumococcal Vaccines

The provincial government also provides free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for eligible residents. RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes mild symptoms in most people but leads to severe complications for vulnerable groups.

Eligible adults for the RSV vaccine include:

• Adults 75 and older.
• Indigenous people aged 60 and older.
• Adults 60 and older living in long term care facilities or receiving alternate levels of care in hospitals.

Infants born on or after April 1, 2026, who are under eight months old during their first RSV season, also qualify for the vaccine.

Health officials urge adults aged 65 and older to check their pneumococcal vaccine status. This shot protects against severe infections like pneumonia and meningitis. Younger adults with specific health risks also qualify for this vaccine.

Find more details in the original report on CBC News.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the updated vaccines become available in New Brunswick?

The updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines become available on October 13.

Do healthcare providers administer the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time?

Yes, healthcare providers administer both vaccines during a single visit.

Is there a needle free flu vaccine option for children?

Yes, children aged two to 17 receive FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine for influenza.

Who qualifies for the free RSV vaccine?

Eligible groups include adults 75 and older, Indigenous people 60 and older, seniors in long term care, and infants under eight months old entering their first RSV season.