Oxford vaccine 'gives island real hope we can see end of the pandemic'
ANOTHER significant milestone in the battle against Covid-19 has been reached as the UK has approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.
Guernsey’s scientific and technical cell met today to look at the scientific evidence and consider recommending that the vaccine be used locally.
The Medicines Committee will then decide whether a request should be made to Health & Social Care to issue a temporary licence for use of the vaccine in the Bailiwick.
Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s announcement about the second Covid-19 vaccine was excellent news for the community.
‘The protection afforded by a vaccine gives us real hope that we can see the end of the pandemic,’ she said.
‘We have already delivered the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine [the first vaccine to be approved] to some members of our community and we look forward to expanding this programme with the availability of a second vaccine.’
The UK government has secured 100m. doses of the vaccine and Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that the Bailiwick will receive its pro-rata allocation through the NHS supply chain.
The Civil Contingencies Authority does not yet know when the island will receive its allocation, but will provide further information as soon as possible.
The Oxford vaccine does not require storage at ultra-low temperatures, making transport to Alderney and Sark possible.
As with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, this one will be for individuals over the age of 18 and will be administered to the priority groups.
Health & Social Care president Al Brouard was pleased that HSC is in a position to consider the Medicines Committee’s recommendations for use of the vaccine locally.
But he added that while the announcement of a second vaccine was welcome news, islanders must not be complacent.
