Restrictions will stay in place longer if more people don’t reschedule second dose appointments: N.S top doctor

Nova Scotia's top doctor is urging eligible residents to move up their second dose appointments for COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Robert Strang says if people continue to hold out, it will delay when restrictions can be lifted.

Speaking at Monday's COVID-19 briefing, the chief medical officer of health said there are still many who are eligible to reschedule their second dose appointments who have not yet done so.

“We have those 90,000 Nova Scotians that we really need to move up,” said Strang. “If they don't move up, we're here having to keep with some public health measures and restrictions in place well into the fall. We don't have to do that. If everybody moves up, I think we're on target by the end of August.”

He says he's hearing reports that many residents are still holding out for Pfizer over Moderna.

“Please do not wait,” said Strang. “There is no real difference between Pfizer and Moderna. Both are mRNA vaccines and both are very safe and effective. There is clear evidence that it is perfectly fine to intermix between the two types of mRNA vaccines.”

As of Monday, over 41 per cent of Nova Scotians have received two doses of vaccine. But Strang says they still have work to do in order to reach their 75 per cent target.