The provincial health authority says those eligible should get the dose because it offers better protection against Omicron strains. Moderna’s bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 is the only bivalent vaccine currently available. Last week, Nova Scotia Health made the download available to people 65 and older. “We are now able to offer appointments to people 18 and older,” Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, said in a news release. “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.”
What Nova Scotians need to know about the fall vaccine launch
Nova Scotia opens bivalent COVID-19 vaccine to more age groups. Public health recommends the vaccine over the original vaccine because it offers better protection against Omicron strains. But some people find the process of who gets what – and when – confusing. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Lisa Barrett breaks it down for us in this interview with Amy Smith. Most people who have had a COVID-19 infection or are already vaccinated should wait 168 days after they last received their initial series, or when they became infected, to receive their next dose, according to Public Health. Those 70 years of age or older or moderately to severely immunocompromised are eligible for a shorter period of 120 days from their last dose or infection with COVID-19 to receive a booster shot.
