COVID-19 vaccines
Vaccines help protect you and the people around you. The more people immunized against COVID-19, the harder it is for the virus to spread. This will save lives and lead to the lifting of restrictions. Learn more about the status of vaccines in New Brunswick, our vaccine rollout plan and get information about approved vaccines.
Vaccine supply is distributed by the Government of Canada. New Brunswick receives an allocated number of doses of vaccine on a regular basis. Allocations are expected to increase throughout 2021, but our vaccine supply is arriving gradually.
With a recent increase in vaccine allotment, we will be using all vaccine available as a first dose by Canada Day, July 1, 2021 which will significantly improve protection for every New Brunswicker.
We are taking this approach following approval of additional vaccines, confirmation of more doses coming to Canada and new guidance on dose intervals indicating the second dose can be delayed to four months.
Timelines for this plan could be impacted and may change based on vaccine availability.
Now Eligible
- Ages:
- First Nations (12 and older) now eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics (ages 12-15, Pfizer only, with parental/guardian consent)
- Workers who regularly travel across the border, including regular commuters, truckers and rotational workers now eligible through pharmacy or through Horizon and Vitalité clinics
- Health-care workers and health system staff (also includes regulated allied health care professionals, nursing home staff, adult residential facility staff) now eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics
- Individuals with complex medical conditions or pregnant womennow eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics
- Individuals 12 & older with two or more select chronic conditions now eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics (ages 12-15, Pfizer only, with parental/guardian consent)
- Staff of Communal Settings (staff and residents from homeless shelters, staff from correctional centers and staff from high schools)now eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics
- Individuals who are housebound / unable to travel (with primary care provider referral)
- First responders, including: now eligible through Horizon and Vitalité clinics
- Paramedics
- Firefighters
- Police Officers
- Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Wildfire management
- Emergency Management Operations / Regional Emergency Management Operations
- WorkSafeNB Inspectors
- Public Health Inspectors
- Sheriffs
Appointments are available for people 55 and older at upcoming AstraZeneca vaccine clinics. Some pharmacies have already filled vacancies for available appointments. Please check a pharmacy’s website and their social media channels prior to calling.
Future groups for May/June - Not yet eligible
- Ages: Not yet eligible
- 40 to 49
- 30 to 39
- 20 to 29
- 12 to 19 (ages 12-15, Pfizer only, with parental/guardian consent)
For those who have received their first dose of another vaccine but have not yet received an appointment for a second dose. We are not yet booking second-dose clinics at this time.
Our focus remains on getting the protection of a first dose to every New Brunswicker before the end of June before turning our focus to second doses.
When we are ready to begin booking second-dose clinics, that will be publicly announced. All New Brunswickers will receive their second dose within the recommended 4-month interval or sooner once all New Brunswickers receive their first dose.
Vaccines work with your immune system, so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. The COVID-19 vaccine can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 and make your symptoms milder if you do get it.
The more people in our communities immunized against COVID-19, the harder it is for the virus to spread. This is why widespread vaccination is the best option to help protect you and the people around you, especially those at increased risk for severe illness. This will save lives and lead to the lifting of restrictions. Once our vaccine supply is continuous and in large enough quantities, information will be provided on how you can register to receive the vaccine.
Health Canada has a thorough approval process. A vaccine is only approved after an independent and thorough scientific review for safety, effectiveness and quality. In addition to the work being done in Canada, COVID-19 vaccines are being approved through separate but equally rigorous processes in other countries. New Brunswick and the other provinces and territories are also monitoring vaccine safety on an ongoing basis.
Approved COVID-19 vaccines
To date, the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines have been approved for use by Health Canada. These vaccines are safe, effective and will save lives.
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are mRNA vaccines.
An mRNA vaccine teaches your cells how to make a protein that will trigger an immune response to the virus and create antibodies. These antibodies help you fight the infection if the real virus does enter your body in the future.
(Booking of an appointment and consent for vaccination of children under the age of 16 must be made for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and must be completed by a parent or guardian.)
AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD is a viral vector-based vaccine.
This “vector” virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19. The vector virus contained within the vaccine produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein will not make you sick. It does its job and goes away. Through this process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the spike protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines:
We’re working closely with a range of partners and stakeholders to make sure the widest possible range of needs, perspectives, concerns and advice are considered throughout the process. This includes:
- Government of Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Horizon Health Network
- Vitalité Health Network
- Canadian Forces
- Regional Health Authorities
- New Brunswick Medical Society
- Nurses Association of New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Pharmacists’ Association
- New Brunswick College of Pharmacists
Pregnant and breastfeeding
Immunocompromised
- Know the facts about COVID-19
- Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Progress
- COVID-19 mRNA vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna
- Viral vector-based vaccines for COVID-19: AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
- Regulating vaccines for human use in Canada
- What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada
- Vaccine development and approval in Canada
New Brunswick COVID-19 vaccine FAQs.
COVID-19 vaccine information for the general public.
Information for health and allied health professionals
COVID-19 vaccine information for physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care providers.