Premier Iain Rankin (Communications Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin says the province’s COVID-19 vaccine plan is ahead of schedule, which means you could get your second dose faster.
In a COVID-19 update on Tuesday afternoon, Rankin said the province is planning to speed up the delivery of second doses by two to four weeks. Starting in early June, Nova Scotians who are due for their second dose will be able to have their appointment moved up. The scheduling will follow the same order as first dose appointments, continuing until all second doses are rescheduled.
That means if someone received their first dose on March 22 they would be due for their second 105 days later, on July 5th. That individual would be able to reschedule their appointment for as early as the week of June 20.
The rescheduling notices will be sent by email to the account provided when the first vaccine was booked. Those who did not provide an email are advised to call 1-833-797-7772.
“We made a promise to Nova Scotians that by the end of June, every person who wants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine would have their first dose,” said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release. “In just a matter of days, anyone in Nova Scotia who is eligible to receive a vaccine will be able to book their first dose appointment.”
People 20 and older became eligible to book a vaccine on Tuesday, while those aged 12 and up will be able to schedule an appointment by the end of May.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization guidance allows the mixing of mRNA vaccines if a matching dose is not available. The province says as a result anyone who received a first dose of Moderna will be able to receive a second dose of Pfizer if Moderna is not available when they reschedule. The province expects more guidance early next month from the committee on second doses for those who received AstraZeneca before a pause was placed on its use in Nova Scotia.
Meantime, Rankin says discussions are underway with Chief Medical Officer of Health Doctor Robert Strang regarding what the reopening plan will look like for the province. Rankin cautions some key conditions will have to be met first, but adds we are heading in the right direction thanks to the hard work of Nova Scotians. He expects more details will be released in the coming days.
The next COVID-19 update is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The province reported 54 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday and 102 recoveries. Thirty-five of those cases are in the Halifax region and province-wide active cases have now dipped to 846.
There are 72 people in hospital, including 20 in ICU.
