Fiona-related power outages impact some COVID-19 vaccine appointments in N.S.
Some Nova Scotians scheduled for a COVID-19 or other vaccination this week may be asked to rebook due to impacts of power outages on vaccine supplies.
In a news release Tuesday, the province says COVID-19 and other vaccines only remain effective when stored at a specific temperature, part of what is known as "cold chain."
Widespread power outages cause by Fiona have disrupted the cold chain at some pharmacies and other sites where vaccines were stored.
"Public Health staff will need to confirm that vaccines have maintained the appropriate temperature at affected sites," read the release. "It will take between five and seven business days for Public Health to assess the cold chain with pharmacies, doctors’ offices and other sites across the province."
The province says a small number of appointments booked for this week will be cancelled while that work is done.
Those Nova Scotians will receive a call from their local pharmacy or clinic, or they may get an email cancellation from CanImmunize.
“I know this is disappointing and frustrating for some Nova Scotians, but we need to ensure the vaccines we are administering are effective,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, in a news release Tuesday.
The province says Public Health is working with pharmacies and other immunizers to determine next steps.
"Nova Scotians who received a dose of vaccine since Saturday may be called back by their provider to receive another dose if it is found that their vaccine was stored at an improper temperature. If they do not receive a call, that means their immunizer was unaffected," read the news release.
Anyone concerned about a dose received in recent days should contact the provider where they received their vaccine.
Nova Scotia’s supply of Imvamune, the monkeypox vaccine, was not affected because power was maintained at its storage site, the provincial bio depot in Dartmouth.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.