New Brunswickers will be able to get this year’s COVID-19 and flu vaccines beginning Oct. 14.

The province made the announcement last week.

“As respiratory illness season starts, it’s essential to protect ourselves and our communities,” Dr. Yves Léger, chief medical officer of health, said in a release. “We recommend getting both vaccines during the same visit; it’s safe, efficient and convenient.”

Léger said getting both vaccines reduces the risk of getting sick, being admitted to hospital or passing either illness on to others.

Both vaccines will be available at no cost to New Brunswickers aged six months and up.

The vaccines are strongly recommended for those at highest risk of complications, including:

• People aged 65 and up
• People who live in a long-term care facility and other group settings
• People with chronic health conditions
• People who are pregnant

The government also announced anyone 75 and up will be eligible to receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine free of charge beginning this year.

Appointments for adults can be scheduled online beginning Oct. 3 or by contacting a participating pharmacy.

Adults can get their vaccines from select primary care providers.

Children can be vaccinated by their primary care provider or through their local public health office.

Some pharmacies offer the vaccines for children, but availability varies by location.