Those 65+ can book appointment for fall dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Appointments for the Moderna bivalent vaccine start Monday

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

Appointments for the Moderna bivalent vaccine — which offers protection against the original strain of COVID-19 as well as Omicron variants — open Monday, September 19.

Once again, the province is starting is vaccination program with those who are considered most vulnerable. More age groups are expected to become eligible in the coming weeks.

Adults living in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, like shelters or correctional facilities, will be able to get a dose in their living setting.

Public Health is also working with African Nova Scotian and First Nations leaders to offer fall vaccine clinics in their communities.

“We are seeing ongoing virus activity, so it is important that Nova Scotians protect themselves and their loved ones by staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health in a news release.

“The original vaccines still provide protection against severe disease. However, we know that this protection decreases over time. The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine provides protection against the original strain of COVID-19 and enhanced protection against Omicron variants.”

People who have recently had COVID or completed their primary series of doses should wait 168 days before getting their next vaccine.

However, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, or over the age of 70, should only wait 120 days.

Anyone who is pregnant and hasn’t had a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant, and whose babies are due before November 30 should get an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Appointments can be booked online or by calling 1-833-797-7772 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.