When you have both COVID-19 vaccines, there is less chance of your health care provider being infected which means that we can be here to deliver your care. It can be difficult to understand when an individual is considered to be fully vaccinated. The information below may help.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated:

• 14 days or more after two doses of a two-dose Health Canada authorized vaccine following minimum dosing intervals (includes mixed vaccine schedules)
• 14 days or more after receipt of one dose of a one-dose Health Canada authorized vaccine
• 14 days or more after receipt of a complete series of a non-Health Canada World Health Organization authorized COVID-19 vaccine

Valid medical contraindications against receiving COVID-19 vaccine include:

• A history of severe allergic reaction after previous COVID-19 vaccine using a similar platform
• An allergy to any component of the specific COVID-19 vaccine or its container
• A history of major venous and/or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (AZ)
• A history of capillary leak syndrome following vaccination with AZ As a precaution, people who experienced myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should wait to get their second dose until more information is available.

More information can be found at the National Advisory Center for Immunization on Contraindication and Precautions on COVID-19 vaccines.

We encourage all Nova Scotian to receive both vaccines if possible.