Quarter of over-18 population has had one vaccine dose
NEARLY a quarter of people over the age of 18 in the Bailiwick have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
More than 16,000 doses have been administered so far, Health & Social Care president Al Brouard said.
Some 13,000 islanders have had their first dose and 3,000 of those have had their second.
Jersey, population 108,000, announced yesterday that 21,000 doses had been administered, while the Isle of Man has done 13,275 (pop. 85,000).
Deputy Brouard hoped that by the end of March, 27,000 doses would have been given.
There has been criticism that there are not more timely and detailed updates of the vaccine statistics similar to those produced by other jurisdictions.
‘We are still working behind the scenes to provide more detailed statistics, but the team is small and the work demand is large at the moment,’ he said, stressing that wastage levels were exceptionally low.
Talking about changing the vaccination programme, he referred to the emergence of new scientific evidence about how the efficacy of delays in the second dose.
‘Significantly, there is now clear evidence that by leaving a longer gap between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the second dose is more effective at providing more protection to individuals.’
HSC has agreed that the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine should be scheduled for 10 weeks after the first dose, rather than the initial six weeks that was agreed.
This means some appointments will need to be rescheduled.
Anyone in the 70-79 age bracket who has been booked in for their vaccine will be written to.
This letter will explain the decision and provide a rescheduled appointment date and time for the recipient’s second dose, in line with the updated strategy.
If anyone cannot make their new appointment time they will be able to call and reschedule. The details will be included in the letter.
Deputy Brouard said that people who had their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the six-week window should remain confident that they will still go on to develop a high level of protection against infection.
The longer gap has just been proven to provide a greater level of protection.
Reiterating that the Covid vaccination centre at Beau Sejour was safe, he urged all those with appointments to attend.
‘Vaccination is key to our response to this pandemic.
‘The centre was specifically selected and designed to enable vaccinations to continue in the event of Covid cases in the community.’
