Booster bookings will be based on age

Just like the initial roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine in Nova Scotia, eligibility for booking booster shots will be based on age.

Last week, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommended boosters for those over the age of 50 along with all frontline health care workers 6 months after their second dose.

NACI also supports offering them to Canadians 18 to 49 years old.

Nova Scotians over the age of 70, those who received a double dose of AstraZeneca and frontline healthcare workers who had less than 28 days between their first and second dose are already eligible to book an appointment.

In addition, those who are immunocompromised, taking medications that substantially suppress their immune system, or need one for work-related travel have been eligible for a third dose since Oct. 4.

At a Tuesday briefing, the province's chief medical officer of health said officials are busy planning the expansion of the booking system for boosters.

“We need to factor in vaccine supply, system capacity, the number of people eligible in any given group, and making the necessary updates to our online booking system,” explained Dr. Robert Strang.

“Once plans are complete, we'll announce the specific dates that the booster doses can be booked for Nova Scotians aged 50 to 69.”

He said bookings will open for those 60 to 69 first, followed by those 50 to 59.

He added getting everyone who is eligible fully vaccinated with two doses will be prioritized over rolling out boosters. The province just started vaccinating children between the ages of five and 11 last week.

Those under 50 will have to wait until the new year before it's their turn to schedule an appointment for a booster.

“Evidence shows that people in this age group still have very good protection against severe illness, plus most people in these age groups have a ways to go before they reach six months since their second dose,” Strang said.

“There's really solid evidence that they are at much lower risk of waning immunity than the older age groups, so we have to make older groups a priority.”

NACI has also recommend that people under age 30 get a Pfizer vaccine because a rare risk of myocarditis and pericarditis appears more common after a Moderna shot. 

“So if you're in this age category … and you have an appointment to get Moderna, we strongly recommend you reschedule to get Pfizer,” Strang said.