Nearly one in three Canadians will get shingles at some point in their life, according to the Canadian Immunization Guide, and the risk climbs sharply after age 50. A two-dose vaccine, Shingrix, is recommended for adults 50 and older. But whether you pay nothing or roughly a few hundred dollars for it depends almost entirely on where you live and how old you are.
Here is how coverage works in every province and territory as of Oct. 2, 2026, based on official government sources. Programs change, so check the linked page for your province before you book.
What the national advice says
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends two doses of the recombinant shingles vaccine (sold as Shingrix) for adults 50 and older, given two to six months apart. People who have had shingles before, or who received the older live vaccine (Zostavax), are still advised to get it, generally waiting at least a year. In an update published in the Canada Communicable Disease Report in early 2026, NACI also made a strong recommendation that adults 18 and older who are, or will become, immunocompromised receive the two-dose series.
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus as chickenpox, which can wake up years later. Its most common complication, post-herpetic neuralgia, is nerve pain that lasts more than 90 days after the rash starts.
NACI makes recommendations, but each province and territory decides who gets the vaccine for free.
At a glance
- Free for adults 50 and older: Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Free for older seniors: Nova Scotia (65+), Ontario (65 to 70), Yukon (65 to 79), Quebec (71+)
- Not free for most healthy adults: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nunavut (some high-risk patients may qualify)
British Columbia
Shingles vaccine is not publicly funded for the general population. HealthLinkBC says adults need to buy it, though some private or workplace health plans may cover the cost. The First Nations Health Authority covers Shingrix for eligible First Nations Elders. HealthLinkBC | FNHA
Alberta
Not free for most adults, including seniors. MyHealth.Alberta.ca says adults 18 and older who have had or will have an organ transplant, or who have had a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy, may be able to get it free through public health. Others 50 and older can buy it. MyHealth.Alberta.ca
Saskatchewan
Not part of the routine adult program. Saskatchewan lists shingles vaccine among additional vaccines for some people with specific medical conditions; ask a public health nurse or your health-care provider whether you qualify. Government of Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Shingles vaccine is not part of Manitoba’s routine publicly funded immunization program for adults, so most people pay for it. Manitoba Health
Ontario
Free for seniors aged 65 to 70 who have not already had a publicly funded shingles vaccine. You can get it from a doctor, nurse practitioner or participating pharmacy. People outside that age range can buy it. Ontario.ca
Quebec
Free for people 71 and older and for immunocompromised people 18 and older. Quebec expanded the program to people aged 71 to 74 on Feb. 1, 2026. Book through Clic Santé or by calling 1-877-644-4545. People aged 50 to 70 can pay for it. Québec.ca
New Brunswick
Shingles vaccine is not publicly funded for healthy adults, according to the federal summary of provincial programs. It is the only Atlantic province without a general program. Public Health Agency of Canada
Nova Scotia
Free for residents 65 and older since May 2025. Book through your primary care provider, online at novascotia.ca/routinevaccine, or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Government of Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Free for Islanders 50 and older, and for people 18 to 49 with immunocompromising conditions. The vaccine is given at community pharmacies; book by phone or online with a pharmacy. Public Health Agency of Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador
Free for everyone 50 and older since Sept. 1, 2025, and for people 18 to 49 with immunocompromising conditions. Contact your local pharmacy or physician to confirm they take part in the program. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Yukon
Free for Yukoners aged 65 to 79, and for people 18 to 49 with immunocompromising conditions. You need a prescription from a doctor or nurse practitioner, then the vaccine can be given free at a local pharmacy. Government of Yukon
Northwest Territories
Not part of the routine publicly funded program for healthy adults. Ask your local health centre about options if you have a high-risk condition. Public Health Agency of Canada
Nunavut
Not part of the routine publicly funded program for healthy adults. Ask your community health centre about options if you have a high-risk condition. Public Health Agency of Canada
If you have to pay
If you are not eligible for a free dose, a pharmacist or doctor can tell you the current price and whether a prescription is needed where you live. Many private and workplace drug plans cover vaccines, so check your plan before you pay. Keep your receipt and a record of both doses, since the second dose is needed for full protection.
One more tip: the federal summary of provincial programs is updated periodically and may lag behind recent provincial announcements. If your province’s own website and the national table disagree, your province’s page is the one that applies.
This article is based on official guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and provincial and territorial health ministries and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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Sources: Canadian Immunization Guide: Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine; CCDR: Summary of NACI statement on herpes zoster vaccination (2026); PHAC: Provincial and territorial routine vaccination programs for adults; plus the provincial and territorial pages linked above.
