Select groups eligible for third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine next week in Nova Scotia
Third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available in Nova Scotia, but not everyone will be eligible.
Only those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, or those who need to travel for work, will be able to get an additional shot.
Cole Harbour resident David Harrison will soon be able to book his third dose appointment.
"I hope to get on the list and get one as soon as possible,” said Harrison.
"People who are immunocompromised often need an additional dose of a vaccine to bring them to a similar level to people who have a strong immune system," Dr. Joanne Langley with the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology.
"And that's already the case for a number of vaccines in the Maritimes and in Canada, like the pneumonia vaccine, for example, you would get three doses instead of two as a baby in that first year of life."
It’s the news Harrison was waiting for.
"I have Crohn’s Disease so I take two immunosuppressant drugs that were included in the list that they released yesterday," said Harrison.
Those 12 and older who qualify will be able to book a third dose online or by phone, 28 days after they have completed their primary vaccine series.
"There's a diagnosis criteria associated with a medication. When folks book their vaccine they should expect to take the proof of that, whether it's their prescription bottles or whether it’s a doctor certificate, to let them know that they are qualified for that," said Health Minister Michelle Thompson.
Third doses of vaccine will also be available to people who need to travel for work so they can meet entry requirements or avoid isolation in a country that does not recognize mixed doses.
To become eligible for a third dose for work-related travel, people must:
- be a Nova Scotia resident
- provide an official copy of proof of vaccination for each of the two doses received
- provide written confirmation from their employer that they are required to travel to a country as part of their job and that country does not accept a mixed-vaccine series
- provide official confirmation or documentation from the country or location of travel that a mixed-vaccine series does not permit entry or requires isolation upon entry.
Work-related third doses cannot be booked online or by phone. Applicants must send the required information by email.
At this time, there are no plans to offer a third dose of vaccine to Nova Scotians who received mixed doses but do not need to travel for work.
"We have to look at this in a global perspective and we need to be very careful about what additional doses of vaccine we use, rather than somewhere else in the world," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health.
"For non-essential travel, we're saying be patient, the federal government is working to clarify this and get acceptance of the mixed schedule by other countries and that is coming."
As for Harrison, he is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.
"If you get vaccinated, you can just help people like myself and other people that are dealing with illnesses so that we don't have to deal with that as well," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.