COVID Vaccine to Arrive Next Week

The first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is expected in Nova Scotia next week. The 1,950 doses still require approval from Health Canada.

Premier Stephen McNeil says, “We have all been waiting anxiously for a vaccine to arrive and I am very glad it will be here in province next week.” The Premier added, “We want everyone to be vaccinated as quickly as possible, but we have to accept that the rollout will be gradual based on vaccine supply and we all want to make sure our most vulnerable are protected.”

However, the vaccine will roll-out in the Halifax area first. Unlike the early days of the pandemic when the premier repeatedly said, “We are all in this together,” as he locked down the province as one, Nova Scotia Health will first target health-care workers, who are directly involved with cases in the Central Zone.

The province will focus on the Central Zone because the Pfizer vaccine, which must be stored at minus 70 Celsius, cannot be moved around the province given its strict storage, handling, and transportation requirements.

A supply of the Moderna vaccine is also expected sometime this month. The alternate vaccine can be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, which makes it a candidate for broad distribution across Nova Scotia.

The province is expected to receive a total of 150,000 doses in small, weekly allotments beginning next week and through the first three months of 2021. The protocol calls for two doses per person. 

Like most other provinces, Nova Scotia will follow the guidance on COVID-19 vaccines from the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI). During the first three months of 2021, the immunization plan will focus on:

• long-term care residents and staff
• seniors who live in the community beginning with those who are over 80 years of age, then people over 75 and then people over 70
• health-care workers directly involved in patient care

The chief medical officer of health says, “As our vaccine supply increases, we will turn our attention to immunize those at higher risk for severe disease due to underlying health conditions or socio-economic factors.” Dr. Robert Strang said, “It is important that Nova Scotians understand that it will take months before there will be a vaccine for everyone.”

While waiting, Nova Scotians are encouraged to continue the public health social guidelines.

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