Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine now available for people 12 and older

Starting today, October 26, people aged 12 or older can reserve Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.

Public Health recommends that Nova Scotians 12 years and older who are eligible for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine this fall receive a bivalent vaccine, as it provides better protection against Omicron strains.

Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is also available for people 18 and older. Both bivalent vaccines are safe and effective. Nova Scotians should choose the first available appointment they qualify for rather than waiting for a particular brand of vaccine.

« We are hearing more and more Nova Scotians trying to get an appointment to receive a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which is great news, » said Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health. Nova Scotia. “We have a lot of vaccine supply in the province. Today, we’ve added tens of thousands of appointments to the system across the province.

For most people in Nova Scotia, the recommended interval between all COVID-19 vaccine doses after the primary series is 168 days since their last vaccine. People who have been infected with COVID-19 must wait 168 days from their infection before receiving their next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some people, such as those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and those aged 70 and over, are eligible for a shortened 120-day interval from their last vaccine. If these people are infected with COVID-19, they must wait 120 days from their infection before receiving their next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Appointments can be booked online at https://novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Vaccine planning by phone is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. People who have not completed their primary series can also book in the same way. Vaccines are administered in pharmacies.

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