News release

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

COVID-19
Health and Wellness

Nova Scotia has accepted the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACIs) latest recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

NACI now advises that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which target the original and Omicron strains of the COVID-19 virus, can be used for the primary series. Previously, bivalent vaccines were only offered as booster doses.

Going forward, bivalent vaccines will be the only type available to people over the age of five years. If a person started their primary series with an original mRNA vaccine, a bivalent vaccine will be used to complete the series.

For children aged six months to four years, Moderna’s bivalent mRNA vaccine will be offered for their primary series, but both Moderna’s and Pfizer’s original vaccines will continue to be available.

NACI also advises that there is no longer a preference for the Pfizer vaccine over Moderna’s for the primary series in children aged five to 11 years.

As of Friday, June 30, only people aged five and older who have not received their first booster dose will be able to get a booster over the summer. All other Nova Scotians will not be able to receive an additional dose at this time.

People who have not been vaccinated continue to be eligible to book their primary series of COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose.

Appointments can be booked online at https://novascotia.ca/vaccination or by calling 1-833-797-7772. Vaccine scheduling by phone is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Most COVID-19 vaccines are administered at pharmacies.

Quick Facts:

  • people six months and older can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine before, after or at the same time as receiving other routine vaccinations
  • as of June 30, only mRNA vaccines will be available in Canada
  • the original mRNA vaccines target the original strain of the COVID-19 virus

Additional Resources:

NACI’s recommendations on the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for primary series: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-interim-guidance-use-bivalent-omicron-containing-covid-19-vaccines-primary-series/statement.pdf

Vaccination resources for youth and families: https://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/COVID-19/vaccination-resources

Information on COVID-19 vaccines and how to get vaccinated: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirusvaccine