McNeil defended the province's immunization plan to hold doses back for booster shots, and he voiced concerns about the ongoing availability of vaccine. "We have serious concerns about supply," he told reporters. "We had hoped that we wouldn't be in this situation but we will not be receiving any new doses this week."
The premier said vaccinations will continue at some long-term care homes because the province had put doses in reserve for booster shots. As of Monday, 11,622 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the province, with 2,708 people having received their second of two doses.
McNeil acknowledged the criticism about his government's approach of holding back doses.
"We want to reassure all Nova Scotians that if we give you the first shot you will get the second shot," McNeil said. "Until we see a level of consistency in supply, that's the protocol we are going to continue to follow."
Dr.
"Beyond that there is no certainty around the amount of vaccine, whether its
Strang, however, said the province remained committed to its strategy. He said
Strang said science is also solidly behind the approach of giving two doses of vaccine within the 21-to-28-day window prescribed by the manufacturers.
Over the next three months, he said, the province will continue to focus on vaccinating front-line health-care workers as well as staff, residents and designated caregivers in long-term and residential care facilities.
To date, Strang said, vaccinations have been completed at the Northwood long-term care facility in
As well, Strang said the province is targeting mid-to-late February to open its first community clinic, which he said will be at the
"These are community clinics that will help us understand what works and what doesn't work, so when we are ready to administer large quantities of vaccine we are able to do so immediately," Strang said.
Meanwhile, health officials urged post-secondary students in the
Drop-in testing began Tuesday and at
This report by
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