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

Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin. Photo Nova Scotia Government

The province is announcing that as of Monday, Nova Scotians have received one million doses of COVID vaccines.

The milestone comes as Canada is opening the border to international travellers.

Premier Iain Rankin says the federal restrictions are in line with those already in place to protect Nova Scotians.

“People who can show proof of two vaccines will not have to isolate. Those with one vaccine will have to isolate for seven days and get two negative tests. Anyone who has not been vaccinated will have to isolate for 14 days,” said Rankin. “We are monitoring all travel in and out of our province to look for cases and determine patterns but so far, so good.”

Chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia Dr. Robert Strang says the province could move to lift restrictions around masks and social distancing sooner if we can increase the rate of vaccinations.

Dr.Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government

To date, 73 percent of eligible Nova Scotians have received a first dose of vaccine and 29 percent have two doses.

Strang says hitting a target of 85 percent of people with at least one dose will be required to lift restrictions ahead of schedule but to do that, people need to stop being selective about which vaccine they receive.

“Pfizer and Moderna are the same type of vaccine and are both equally effective and safe. One is not better than the other. Given the reduced Pfizer supply and considering the risk of the Delta variant please do not wait to book your second dose. If you got Pfizer for your first dose it’s completely fine to get Moderna for your second. The sooner you’re fully vaccinated the better for all of us,” said Strang.

Rankin is confident Nova Scotia will hit targets that will allow the move to Phase 4 of the reopening plan, as scheduled this coming Wednesday July 14.

“Dr. Strang and the team will continue to watch our cases and ensure we’re moving in that direction but all signs are positive so far,” said Rankin.

While the premier is looking ahead to reopening he also reminds Nova Scotians to not let their guard down.

“People are on the move but so too, is Delta variant and it can spread quickly,” said Rankin. “That is why we have to constantly remind ourselves to be cautious and continue to follow protocols.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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Dr. Robert Strang. Photo Nova Scotia Government

Public health officials are warning Nova Scotians not to think we’re out of the woods with the coronavirus.

The province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says people are becoming complacent around social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Even though we talk about a pandemic, we’re acting like we’re not in a pandemic in Nova Scotia. That’s important that we remind ourselves we need to be cautious. I recognize that COVID fatigue is real,” said Strang. “We’ve been at this for almost a year but as tired as everyone is, public health measures are as important now as they were last March and April.”

Three new cases of the coronavirus are being reported bringing the total number of active cases to 21.

Strang cautioned people to keep their socializing and social circles to a minimum.

“We need people to slow down for the next two to three months,” said Strang. “We need to still stay very focused on limiting our social activities, limiting the number of people, ideally [to] only a single social group of 10.”

Strang says the province expects to receive 14,700 doses of vaccine this week and vaccine deliveries are back on track to meet targets that were expected when deliveries were first announced.

“Vaccine supply is expected to be steady with weekly shipments of at least 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine until the end of March,” said Strang. “Meaning that we are on target to meet the outcomes for the first 90 days of our vaccine strategy.”

Strang says he’s heard requests for Nova Scotia to develop a vaccine passport to allow those that have been inoculated to be exempt from some of the COVID protocols. He says the province will not be issuing proof of immunization cards or vaccine passports until more is known about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

“We know that they’re very effective against preventing clinical and symptomatic illness but we don’t know yet whether they prevent asymptomatic transmission.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.