Nova Scotia moved into Phase 4 on Wednesday, on schedule, as planned. But according to the provincial data dashboard, maybe we shouldn’t have. On Thursday, the dashboard still sits at 74.3 percent of the population having at least one dose of vaccine (reporting numbers as of the end of Wednesday), short of the 75 […]
Vaccine
Where to get a walk-in COVID vaccine in Halifax
Since June 29, Nova Scotia has been offering walk-in vaccination appointments to varying demographics. First, at the Convention Centre at 1650 Argyle Street in downtown Halifax, it was for first doses only. Then, second-dose walk-ins opened up to those 65 and up in early July, then 55 and up. Now anyone over 18 can go! […]
Second doses of vaccine coming quickly says Strang
Nova Scotians can get their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine much sooner than planned, with extended clinic hours and an unexpected shipment of Moderna vaccines due to arrive from the federal government before the end of June. Chief medical officer of health Robert Strang said second doses will be hitting arms four to six weeks […]
The complicated question of mandatory vaccination
Vaccine rollout is going swimmingly in Nova Scotia according to the provincial government. As of the most recent update on May 25, over 48 percent of Nova Scotians have had at least one dose. As immunization moves forward, Nova Scotians continue to ask complex questions about the vaccine. Should people with pre-existing conditions be prioritized? […]
How to reschedule your second COVID-19 vaccine dose in Nova Scotia
On Tuesday, May 25, Nova Scotia announced a plan to speed up getting second doses into arms, thanks to the fact the province has more vaccine supply than it anticipated back in April when it set the 105-day interval between doses. Here are two graphs from the province, showing the old and the new plans. […]
Robert Strang implied that AstraZeneca was not the gold standard—here’s why he should know better
I t was all said in nearly the same thought. On Tuesday, viewers from across the province tuned in to the daily COVID briefing to hear the province’s top doctor deliver the grim news that the pandemic that had already killed 67 Nova Scotians had unflinchingly claimed two more lives. Barely missing a beat (and […]
“We’re going to be throwing vaccines in the garbage and it could’ve been in somebody’s arm.”
The scene at one HRM pharmacy looks like this: Back-to-back appointments, four an hour. The sound of vials of vaccine cracking open is such a constant noise it probably permeates the pharmacists’ dreams. It’s a well-oiled machine, if one that’s new on its feet. “We’re highly sought after,” says the pharmacy manager (who, like all […]
How 40-to-54-year-olds can book an AstraZeneca vaccine appointment
On Friday, April 30, Nova Scotia opened up the AstraZeneca vaccine for 40-to-54-year-olds. Public health head Robert Strang warned yesterday that the new age cohort would not open at the stroke of midnight; just before 9am, it was live. The province's vaccine booking site is now updated to offer AZ vaccine appointments for people who […]
Yes, we should share the vaccine
This week I—an able-bodied, healthy, working-from-home individual—have: Attended an in-person pottery class, an in-person violin lesson and an in-person yoga class. I went out for drinks after yoga with a friend, and met another friend for drinks the next night. (It’s been a long week.) I went into the office and worked in a frenzy […]
Vaccine booking open to 60,000+ people aged 65 to 69
As of Friday, April 9, Nova Scotia has opened vaccine eligibility for 65-to-69-year-olds. Anyone in that age group (or other already-eligible age groups) can now head to the online booking site or call 1-833-797-7772 to make an appointment for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, as well as a second dose appointment for about 16 weeks […]
2 new cases March 31 as the humans win the month
Thursday has two new COVID-19 infections, another confirmation that the B117 variant is here and a milestone of 100,000 vaccinations.
Vaccine delays could mean dipping into second dose stockpile
Earlier this week the Nova Scotia government announced its detailed plan to vaccinate everyone over age 16 who wants to be vaccinated by June. But there may already be a hitch in the plan. “We did receive word last night that a shipment of Moderna expected next week will be delayed by a week or […]

