Guernsey Press

Almost 10,000 adults under-65 are eligible for early vaccination in light of medical risk factors

MORE THAN 20% of the island’s adult population under 65 have been classed as having a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of morbidity or mortality from Covid-19.

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Key worker Elma Costa from Q3 disinfecting and cleaning the doors to the Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29340144)

They make up the largest group in the vaccination priority list, and they are the cohort which are currently being immunised. Many islanders have queried why the list is so large.

In total, there are 9,570 individuals in group six, and they are ranked as being at either high or moderate risk from the virus.

Of this number 2,820 people are being offered vaccines at GP surgeries and 6,750 are being offered an appointment at the vaccination centre at Beau Sejour.

The criteria for group six is extensive and includes chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma that requires the use of steroids or occasional admission to hospital.

Chronic heart disease, vascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease and neurological disease, such as cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, and multiple sclerosis are all on the list.

Other conditions include diabetes, leukaemia, myeloma, morbid obesity, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and any mental illness that is regarded as causing severe functional impairment.

Covid-19 community vaccination centre. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 29340146)

All islanders between 65 and 70 have now been offered as least one dose of the vaccine.

When the large group of adults at risk have given one dose, the next group on the vaccination priority list is all adults between 60 and 65,

The sheer number of people in group six has raised some questions about whether the system is objective.

The guidance on the States website says that in some cases an individual’s vulnerability is due to the medication they are taking, and not the condition itself.

At the most recent press conference, Health & Social Care president Al Brouard said they were working off a database of demographics, which had been created from HSC records and also from other healthcare partners.

He recognised that some people may query being called up in group six.

Picture by Sophie Rabey. (29340150)

‘One reason for this could be that many years ago you were prescribed some medication for something that has led to you being identified within the database as a higher risk.

‘This is nothing to worry about, especially if you don’t think of yourself as a higher risk.

‘If you receive an invite at this stage we will not be revoking it, you can take the opportunity to have your vaccine.’

The letters go out in batches, so people are asked to be patient if they have not received the written communication yet.

However, anyone who thinks their name may have been incorrectly left off a list can telephone Public Health.