By Rick Conrad

Queens County residents who haven’t received their latest COVID booster or influenza vaccine will get another shot at it on Tuesday. 

Nova Scotia Health is organizing a COVID-19 and influenza immunization clinic at Queens Place Emera Centre on Jan. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The public health mobile unit will be offering the following vaccines: COVID-19 Moderna XBB.1.5, the influenza vaccine for people from 6 months to 64 years old and the high-dose influenza shot for those 65 and over.

Officials are encouraging people to book their appointments ahead of time, though some limited drop-ins may be available.

COVID-19 rapid test kits will also be available.

According to Nova Scotia’s online vaccine booking page, the next available appointments in the Liverpool area after Tuesday are on Jan. 16.

Recent figures from the Public Health Agency of Canada show that 14.2 per cent of Nova Scotians have received the most recent COVID booster.

Public Health officials have urged Nova Scotians to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations, as COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are still hospitalizing people across the country.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

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Dr. Robert Strang speaks at COVID briefing February 23, 2022. Photo Communications Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has announced the availability of new COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang provided details about the rollout at a press conference Tuesday.

Nova Scotians aged 65 and older can get the high-dose influenza vaccine now. All Nova Scotians will have access to Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccine during the week of October 16. The standard-dose influenza vaccine is arriving in the province the week of October 23 and Pfizer’s updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available sometime in late October or early November.

The high-dose flu vaccine will be available at local pharmacies and medical clinics across the province starting this week.

Strang emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “This fall, we encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and get both recommended vaccines to protect their health. It’s the best way to limit the spread of both influenza and COVID-19.”

The province is advising Nova Scotians that they can receive both flu and COVID vaccines at the same time. Anyone wishing to receive a vaccine can do so at a nearby pharmacy or outreach clinic by signing up online at Nova Scotia Immunization. Alternatively, people can book their shots through their family doctors or nurse practitioners.

Nova Scotia Health is reminding people that vaccines do not cause influenza or COVID-19 and that symptoms for both illnesses can overlap, including fever, headache, and fatigue.

Anyone who has already received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines are eligible for an updated dose if six months have passed since their last vaccination or known COVID-19 infection. And officials are recommending children aged six months to nine years should receive two doses of the influenza vaccine four weeks apart this fall if they have never been vaccinated before.

Health authorities are urging all Nova Scotians to prioritize their health by getting vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19 to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.

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E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com

Queens General Hospital. Photo Ed Halverson

Nova Scotia Health is reminding people that COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are still active and must be considered when visiting loved ones this holiday season.

In a release, they say masks must be worn at all times in all provincial health facilities and the number of visitors patients can have will depend on where they are being treated and what they are being treated for.

Only people identified by a patient as an essential care partner (support person, caregiver) can visit a patient in hospital.

Only one Essential Care Partner/ Support Person at a time for:

• children and youth under 19 in outpatient settings
• hospital inpatients
• patients in emergency departments
• prenatal visits, including ultrasounds
• ambulatory care clinics, appointments, or procedures
• patients with COVID-19 infection (additional measures may be required)

Two Essential Care Partners/ Support Persons at a time for:

• children and youth under 19 admitted to hospital, or having day surgery
• patients in intensive care units and critically ill patients in emergency departments
• patients in labour and giving birth

Three Essential Care Partners/Support Persons at a time for: 

• palliative care and other patients nearing end of life
• patients receiving medical assistance in dying (MAiD)

In a release, Nova Scotia Health says people with compromised immune systems are relying on the facilities to ensure a safe and healthy place in which to receive treatment, rest and recover.

And that health care workers take precautions every day to prevent getting sick or passing illness onto patients.

Nova Scotia Health asks when visiting loved ones under provincial care this holiday season to bear in mind that general masking requirements create a healthier environment, reducing the strain on care teams, and the health care system as a whole.

More information can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/VisitorsDuringCOVID.

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Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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