Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine available to high risk adults

The provincial government says adults at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 can now get another dose of vaccine.

The Department of Health and Wellness says Nova Scotia has accepted a discretionary recommendation by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for a spring COVID-19 booster dose, due to the ongoing circulation of the virus.

Officials say adults aged 80 and older, those living in long-term care, nursing homes, senior congregate living settings, or residential care facilities, and those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, should get a spring dose if their last dose was more than six months ago.

Adults aged 65 to 79 and people of African descent or Indigenous people aged 50 to 79 can consider receiving a spring dose of vaccine, especially if they have not yet had COVID-19.

Government says the spring dose will be available until the end of June, and it is anticipated there will be a fall vaccination program to address expected surges of respiratory infections in late fall and winter.

Appointments can be booked online, or by calling 1-833-797-7772 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.