While vaccines are only available for a select few STIs, they can be a highly effective solution for preventing some of the infections that can be most dangerous for folks. Vaccines are great because they aren’t something you have to remember regularly, and you don’t have to alter your lifestyle or the type of sex you are having.

Since vaccines are not available for many STIs, we recommend using this prevention method in combinations with other methods. Below are details around sexual health vaccines that are available to Nova Scotians.

You can learn more about where HEAL NS got this information from at: CANADA
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references.

Mpox Vaccine

The Mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox) vaccine is only available for at-risk populations in Nova Scotia. For those who are at risk and live in Nova Scotia (including students), the vaccine is covered by Nova Scotia Health.

Below is the province of Nova Scotia’s description of folks who are eligible for the vaccine:

‘You can get the vaccine if you identify as a cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person who has sexual contact with a cisgender or transgender queer man, a two-spirit person or a non-binary person, and you:

• had 2 or more sexual partners since May 2022 (or are planning to)
• have a diagnosis of a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (since May 2022)
• attended, worked at or volunteered at a venue for sexual contact (like a bath house or sex club) since May 2022 (or are planning to)
• had anonymous sex since May 2022 (or are planning to)
• engaged in sex work as a worker or client since May 2022 (or are planning to)

You can also get the vaccine if you have sexual contact with someone who meets this criteria.’

The vaccine available in Nova Scotia is called Imvamune. This vaccine protects against both smallpox and mpox. For folks who have previously had a smallpox vaccine, one Imvamune shot is recommended as an immunity booster. The vaccine is given in two doses, spaced at least 28 days apart.

If you are looking to book a first or second dose vaccine you can do so here.

Check out our section on mpox to learn more.

You can learn more about where HEAL NS got this information from at: NovaScotia.ca, Ontario.ca, NovaScotia.ca
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references.

HPV Vaccine

The Human Papillomavirus vaccine protects people against a few common strains of HPV – including some of the more dangerous ones. In Nova Scotia, the vaccine series is often started around the age of 11. This vaccine is a part of the school immunisation program meaning it is offered to students in NS schools in Grade 7. If you are unsure whether you received this vaccine you can reach out to the public health unit for where you went to school (if you went to school in Nova Scotia). For people with vaginas, the vaccine is approved up to the age of 45, and for people with penises up to 26. People with HIV, or who identify as ‘men who have sex with men’ are additionally approved up until 45. Doctors can however prescribe the vaccine to folks older than 45 or 27, so you can always talk to your doctor about this option.

There are a few kinds of the HPV vaccine, but Gardasil 9 has the broadest protection, including but not limited to protection against HPV-6 and -11 (the two most common kinds) and HPV-16 and -18 (the two strains most likely to cause cervical cancer). Gardasil 9 is the vaccine given in Nova Scotia. This vaccine has three doses, the second given 2 months after the first, and the third dose given 4 months after the second (so at month 0, 2, and 6). This is the recommended timing for the vaccine, and it is most effective if given spaced apart in those intervals.

In Nova Scotia the province covers the cost of this vaccine for school age children, adult ‘men who have sex with men’, and folks who are HIV positive. If you do not fit into these categories, the vaccine can be privately bought through a doctor or local pharmacy but costs around $600 for the full 3 shot series.

Check out SUGAR Health to find out where to get the vaccine closest to you, or talk to your family doctor or local clinic.

You can learn more about where HEAL NS got this information from at: SHNS, PartnershipAgainstCancer, Sugar Health, HSHC
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references.

HepA / HepB Vaccine

In Nova Scotia, Hepatitis B vaccines are given out to children as a part of the school immunisation program. This started in 1995, and so most people who attended school in Nova Scotia after this date will have received their HepB vaccines. You can reach out to your Public Health unit to ask for vaccine records if you are unsure whether or not you received this vaccine.

For adults who were not vaccinated for Hep B, some at risk populations are still able to receive this vaccine at no cost. Most of these at risk populations will receive a TWINRIX vaccine that protects against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Populations that are eligible for this vaccine include people who are HIV+, have chronic liver disease, engage in high risk sexual practices, and people who use substances or engage in ‘harmful’ use of alcohol, and people who identify as men who have sex with men. Additionally, some more people may qualify for the free Hep B vaccine. Check out this PDF to see Nova Scotia’s list of current at risk populations.

TWINRIX is also recommended as a travel vaccine when people travel outside of Canada to certain populations, and must be paid for out of pocket when requested for travel.

You can learn more about where HEAL NS got this information from at: NSHealth, NSHealth, NovaScotia, SHNS
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references.