In a news release, Public Health recommends that anyone over the age of 18 who is eligible for their fall dose get the bivalent vaccine rather than the original vaccine. Public Health says this is because the bivalent dose provides better protection against Omicron strains. Currently, Moderna’s bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 is the only bivalent vaccine 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 Nova’s chief medical officer of health Scotia, Dr. Robert Strang in a press release Wednesday. “I encourage people to follow the National Immunization Advisory Committee’s recommendation and book a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for their next dose. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines offer enhanced protection against Omicron variants.” For most Nova Scotians, the recommended interval between any COVID-19 vaccines after the initial series is 168 days from their last vaccine. People infected with COVID-19 should wait 168 days after infection before receiving their next dose. People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and people age 70 and older are eligible for a shortened interval of 120 days from their last vaccine. “If these people become infected with COVID-19, they should wait 120 days after infection before receiving the next dose of COVID-19 vaccine,” Public Health wrote in the news release. Vaccination appointments can be made online or by calling 1-833-797-7772.
