COVID-19 vaccination programme update

19 March 2021

Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Adrian Noon, gave the following speech:  

We have now administered more than 45,000 doses of vaccine and 46% of the adult population, aged over 18, have received their first dose.

82% of those clinically extremely vulnerable have received their first dose, while 84% of Care Home residents have received their second dose of vaccine.

This week we also announced that we will begin Phase 2 of the Vaccination Programme next month and, by the end of May, we still intend to offer a first dose to every Islander aged 18 and over.

However I must stress that our vaccination supply has always been changeable and we review the supply from the UK on a weekly basis.

We have confidence in the supply of vaccine that we continue to receive, and while we may see fewer doses delivered throughout April, this has been part of our planning.

If we do receive fewer doses from the UK in the coming weeks, it will be unlikely to impact on our vaccination schedule, and we remain on track to have offered appointments to all adults by the end of May.

We will make sure Islanders are made aware of any changes to our vaccination supply that might affect our vaccination schedule.

We also are confident in the safety of the Oxford-AstraZenca vaccine, following concerns this week about potential risks among a very small percentage of those who had been immunised.

Jersey has been working closely with partners in the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, who are the UK regulators in medicines and vaccines, as well as the World Health Organisation and European Medicines Authority, confirmed yesterday afternoon that there are no safety concerns with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and it should continue to be used.

It is clear from medical data that the benefits of the vaccine in protecting people far outweigh the risks of not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

I want to thank all Islanders for their continued cooperation, and for their support for the Vaccination Programme. It is hugely appreciated and has made the work of our team so much more effective.