08 April 2021
The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is moving into Phase 2 of the roll out to Islanders. From today at 12:00, 45-49-year olds can book their appointments to receive their first dose from Sunday, 11 April. Followed by 40-44 year olds, who can also book their appointments from Monday, 12 April to attend from Wednesday, 14 April.
Head of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, Becky Sherrington said: "I'm pleased we are able to open these appointments this week. It's important Islanders are vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them."
Islanders are encouraged to book online and to not delay as their group becomes eligible.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf said: "This has always been a community effort and all the public health measures we have taken so far have been to protect our population and especially our most vulnerable. Getting vaccinated is no different and vaccination will keep this virus at bay while we continue to reconnect with our sense of normality, by working through the stages of reopening."
Islanders can find information on the COVID-19 vaccine online which lists common side effects of the vaccine to include:
- Pain at injection site
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Fever
Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ivan Muscat said: "It is normal to feel some side effects after receiving the vaccine. We continue to work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation both of whom have again reiterated the huge benefit and importance of maintaining our COVID vaccination roll out."
Second doses will continue to be rolled out alongside first dose appointments. Becky Sherrington continued: "We want to ensure the programme continues to operate efficiently, wastage is minimised, and Islanders are receiving the correct vaccine.
"We are therefore batching appointments based on the vaccine type we have available so we can vaccinate large groups, over a short period of time. This means you could be called for your second dose anytime between week 4- 12. Our vaccination team are monitoring the interval times to ensure we administer second doses by the 12-week mark.
"We please ask Islanders to be patient and await their given appointments. There is no need to call the helpline about this."
For those who are eligible, vaccination appointments can be made online at gov.je/vaccine. When booking appointments ensure the following information is available: name, address, phone number, social security number, date of birth.
Alternatively, bookings can be made by calling the COVID helpline on 0800 735 5566.
gov.je