COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccines help your immune system protect you from serious illness if you are exposed to the virus.

COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines. This means fewer appointments and earlier protection against multiple diseases, which is especially important during the respiratory season. Receiving more than one vaccine at the same time is safe and does not reduce the effectiveness of any of the vaccines.

The immunization is given as an injection into the upper arm in older children and adults and into the thigh in infants.

COVID-19 spreads mainly through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. People can spread the virus even if they have no symptoms.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves, our families and our communities from serious illness, hospitalization, post-COVID-19 syndrome or death, especially for those most at risk.

Protection from vaccination decreases over time and new strains of COVID-19 continue to appear so updated vaccines are recommended each year.

People who are not vaccinated are at a higher risk of developing symptoms and spreading infection to others. Even if you already had COVID-19 and the vaccine, you could still benefit from an updated vaccine.

Vaccination after an infection is important. The combination of having been infected and being vaccinated (called hybrid immunity) provides better and longer-lasting protection than infection or vaccination alone. It is recommended you wait a minimum of three months after a previous dose of the vaccine before getting vaccinated.

From fall through spring, New Brunswick residents aged six months or older can receive free updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Annual immunization is strongly recommended for individuals at higher risk of exposure or severe outcomes of illness including:

• Adults 65 years of age or older
• People living in long-term care or shared living settings
• People with medical conditions that increase their risk
• Pregnant people
• Health care workers and caregivers
• Indigenous Peoples, and
• Communities at higher risk due to social or economic factors.

Some people, including older adults and those with weakened immune systems, are advised to get a second dose in the spring at least three months after their first dose.

The vaccine is not recommended for:

• children under the age of six months
• individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine.

People with severe illness or infection with a fever should usually wait until symptoms are resolved.

Individuals who have had a severe or unusual reaction following a previous dose of the vaccine should talk to a health care provider.

As a precaution, individuals who have a history of myocarditis or pericarditis and are followed by a health care provider for related heart issues should talk to their health care provider.

Allergies

Inform your immunization provider if you or your child has any health problems, allergies or previous reactions to a vaccine.

If you or your child is allergic to a component of the vaccine being offered, it is still possible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, depending on the allergy. You may be asked to wait longer in the clinic after receiving the vaccine.

Discuss options with your health care provider to determine the most appropriate vaccine for your situation.

It is possible to experience common side effects in the days following vaccination. While most side effects are generally mild and temporary, they might make you feel unwell for a short period and go away on their own. For mild reactions, a cold compress at the injection site may reduce discomfort. Ask a health care provider what medicine is best to reduce fever.

COVID-19 vaccines do not cause COVID-19 infections.

Common and expected side effects include:

• pain, redness or swelling where the needle was given,
• tiredness, headache, muscle pain or joint pain, chills or fever.

Rare reactions reported after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine include:

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), although rare, can occur after receiving a vaccine. Symptoms may include hives (itchy bumps on the skin), swelling of your face, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing. Clinic staff are prepared to manage an allergic reaction should it occur.
• Rare cases of heart inflammation - myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) have been reported. Symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and feeling of a fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Rare cases of Bell’s palsy (temporary facial weakness or paralysis on one side of the face) have been reported.

If you or your child experiences unusual reactions to the vaccine or you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care provider, pharmacy, Public Health office or Tele-Care 811.

Call emergency services (911) right away if you have left the vaccination site and develop serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain or irregular heartbeat.

Children can be vaccinated through their local Public Health office (Horizon, Vitalité), primary care provider or a local pharmacy (for those two years and older).

Adults can book a vaccine appointment through a primary health care provider, a participating pharmacy, Public Health clinic or online using the provincial scheduler 

If a New Brunswick resident doesn't have a New Brunswick Medicare card but is eligible for the vaccine, call 1-833-437-1424 to book an appointment.

Long-term care residents from a nursing home or an adult residential facility can receive their vaccine on site.

Out-of-province students can also get their vaccine through student health services at their respective post-secondary institutions.

Vaccination records for people aged 16 and older are available by registering online at MyHealthNB. To access your immunization record, please register or sign in to your account.

The paper record of immunization provided when vaccinated will continue to be the official record. Keep your immunization record in a safe place.

If the information on your record is incorrect or you received immunizations outside of New Brunswick and want them added, send an email to [email protected].

Immunizations administered prior to 1991 may not be readily accessible in MyHealthNB. If your vaccination record is not available at MyHealthNB, contact the place you received your vaccines.