Work in progress to allow third vaccine to be used
A THIRD vaccine looks likely to be introduced to the island in spring.
Approved in the UK, work to begin using the new Moderna vaccine is currently being carried out.
Vaccinations against Covid-19 in the island have hit 4,121 first doses of one of the two Bailiwick-approved Covid-19 vaccines, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech, while 519 islanders have also received their second vaccination.
It means that 7.1 doses per 100 people have been given in the island. The rate in the UK is 8.01 and the Isle of Man 4.18.
The vaccination programme is said to be on course for its 42,545 dose administration by the end of March.
Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said she was pleased with how it was going, warning that although there would always be an ongoing risk of new variants expected, they were on top of it.
‘We know about the variant in the UK and another one has emerged in Brazil, further variants have emerged in South Africa,’ she said.
‘But this is an RNA [Ribonucleic acid] virus, it will mutate, we’ve always got to be vigilant of the emergence of these variants.’
Health & Social Care president Deputy Al Brouard advised that while vaccination was not compulsory, he urged people strongly to have it.
He also provided news of a third Covid vaccine for the island.
‘The MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] in the UK has recently announced that the Moderna vaccine has been authorised,’ he said.
‘Whilst this vaccine will not be available until later in the spring, the usual process of its approval in the Bailiwick is taking place and will be considered for final designation early next week.’
So far out of the 2,175 letters sent to those eligible in the 75 and over age group, 920 have called and booked a time slot.
n A short video of what islanders can expect of the vaccination centre at Beau Sejour has been published by the States.
It can be found at https://bit.ly/3qOfVSZ
