Public Health recommends that Nova Scotians 18 and older who are eligible for their fall dose receive a dose of bivalent vaccine instead of the primary vaccine because the bivalent vaccine offers better protection against Omicron strains. Moderna’s bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 is the only bivalent vaccine currently available. “Late last week we opened up our COVID-19 vaccine appointments to some of Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable residents and are now able to offer appointments to people 18 years of age and older,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer Nova Scotia Officer of Health. “I encourage people to follow the recommendation of the National Immunization Advisory Committee and book a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for their next dose. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines offer enhanced protection against Omicron variants. For most people in Nova Scotia, the recommended interval between any doses of COVID-19 vaccine after the initial series is 168 days from their last vaccine. People infected with COVID-19 should wait 168 days after infection before receiving the next dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Some people, such as those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and those 70 and older, are eligible for a shortened 120-day interval from their last shot. If these people become infected with COVID-19, they must wait 120 days after infection before receiving the next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. You can make an appointment online at or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Vaccine scheduling by phone is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. People who have not completed their original series can also book in the same way. Vaccines are administered in pharmacies.
Quick facts:
province has adopted National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations on use of bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 bivalent Moderna vaccine offers protection against original strain of COVID-19 as well as Omicron variants pregnant women who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant should receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine the Pfizer bivalent vaccine is not yet licensed in Canada and when it will be available is unknown. Once available, the Department of Health and Wellness will share it publicly
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