States apologises for over-40s jab deadline

Vaccinations are now being offered to people in their 20s, and those under 40 will be given Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendations.

However those over 40 are more likely to be given the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

Last week Public Health said that some islanders had been trying to pressure vaccine call handlers into giving them a certain vaccine. It was also noted that some older islanders were waiting, to try and get an alternative to the Oxford jab.

Matters came to a head on Friday, when over-40s were told they should book their jab before noon on Saturday.

‘If you delay your vaccine, you delay the whole programme and that could delay our ability to move to the new travel rules, which were announced today,’ the States wrote.

‘We need everyone’s co-operation to reach that goal.’

It sparked frustration from many, noting that it was hard to get through on the very busy vaccine lines and saying the post was a guilt trip.

An apology was posted online by the States over the weekend.

‘Our ‘time is running out’ post has offended many of you and for that we are very sorry,’ it said.

‘That was never our intention. Our intention was purely to remind those aged 40 or over to let us know by Saturday if they want to have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of July.’

The States said it understood that some people were taking their time in deciding whether to have a vaccine or not during this phase of the programme.

‘Our clinics for those aged 40 or over are getting pretty full, so we need to know how many still wish to receive a vaccine right now.

‘Once we have a clear idea of how many still want to receive a vaccine in this age group, we will get back to them with an appointment time next week.

‘If you are still unsure whether to have the vaccine at this time you will be able to have one in the future if you change your mind. No one is forcing you to decide now. You should not feel bad for deciding not to have a vaccine right now.

‘If you wish to have a vaccine in the future, you can and details of how this can happen will be determined when we reach the end of this phase of the programme.’

All vaccines have a very small chance of side effects, but highly-publicised and extremely rare blood clots connected with the Oxford jab has deterred some from getting it.