Shortages will not knock vaccine plan off schedule

It is preparing for a reduction in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in April, which is being attributed to five million doses from India being delayed.

But the UK is confident it will vaccinate all adults by the end of July, despite the shortage, and Guernsey is standing by its plan for adults to have had at least their first jab by 1 July.

A States spokesman said it was in regular dialogue with the UK regarding the island’s agreed allocation of vaccines.

‘We were already aware of a potential drop in vaccine availability at the end of this month and have scheduled clinics accordingly,’ he said.

‘In the unlikely event that we do not receive our anticipated supply – due to shortages, weather delays etc – appointments may need to be rescheduled and the team will contact those individuals affected.

‘The Vaccine Administration System can easily identify and reschedule first dose and second dose appointments.’

He added that a drop in the number of available vaccines would only slow down the programme for a limited period of time.

‘When further stocks become available we can extend the community vaccination centre opening hours to increase the number of clinic appointments,’ he said.

‘This will enable us to keep to our planned vaccination schedule.’

Europe’s medicines regulator yesterday said that the AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘safe and effective’ and its benefits outweigh the risks, but it would continue to study possible links between the shot and a very rare blood clotting disorder.

More than 1,500 letters a day have been sent out inviting people for their Covid-19 vaccine this week, and the vaccine contact centre’s opening hours have been extended from 8am to 4pm at weekends and between 8am and 8pm on weekdays.

Based on which ages Guernsey is currently vaccinating, it could appear to be behind Jersey and the UK. But doses per 100 people – an internationally recognised standard – has shown that Guernsey has given 41.3 doses per 100 people. This compares with 42.45 in Jersey and 39.82 in the UK.

In total, more than 27,000 doses have been given in Guernsey.

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink confirmed this week that she was still confident that Guernsey would have given first doses to all eligible adults by the start of July. Even just one dose of vaccine gives a person considerable protection from Covid-19.

Civil Contingencies Authority advisor Deputy Heidi Soulsby said throughout the pandemic the government had tried not to over-promise and under-deliver.

‘The figures we are giving and the dates we are giving are what we think are reasonable,’ she said.

Jersey this week announced that it hoped that islanders in their 40s should be able to book their jabs from the start of next month. Those in their 30s set to be offered a first dose in early May and 18- to 29-year-olds by the end of the month.

Guernsey hopes to finish phase one – over 50s, healthcare workers and vulnerable adults – by early May, but is not expected to start on phase two – essential workers and all people over 18 – until the end of May.

Guernsey is currently moving through group six and seven of phase one of the vaccine schedule – people with underlying health conditions and those aged 60 to 65.

Both Jersey and the UK are taking appointments for the ninth and final group of phase one – the over-50s.

The disparity has been attributed to the very high take-up of the vaccine in Guernsey.