COVID-19 spring vaccine appointments opening for high-risk Nova Scotians, New Brunswickers

Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers at the highest risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection can soon get a spring vaccine.

Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers at the highest risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection can book an appointment for a spring vaccine.

The dose will be available from March 31 to June 30 in Nova Scotia. Children aged six months to 11 years can get the vaccine until June 17.

Appointments in Nova Scotia can be booked online now or by calling 1-833-797-7772.

The New Brunswick spring campaign will run from April 7 to June 30. People will be able to book appointments starting March 28. For children under the age of 12, the vaccine will be available until June 21.

Nova Scotia says it is following recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization for the spring dose.

This includes:

• people 65 years of age or older
• people aged 18 and older living in long-term care, nursing homes, senior congregate living settings or residential care facilities
• people six months and older who meet the criteria for being moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment
• people aged 50 years and older who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian or First Nations

High-risk Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers can book the appointment as long as it has been at least three months since their last dose or known COVID-19 infection.

“It is recommended that those with the highest risk of infection get a second dose to prevent severe illness,” said Dr. Jesse Kancir, Nova Scotia’s deputy chief medical officer of health, in a provincial news release.

“People who aren’t in that high-risk category and are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines are still well protected.”

Those who did not receive a dose in the fall or winter can still get the vaccine, even if they are not high-risk.

COVID-19 and flu symptoms can include:

• a sudden high fever
• headache
• general aches and pains
• fatigue and weakness
• a runny, stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat