COVID vaccination programme (FOI)

Request

In the wake of the news about the autumn booster and third dose vaccination ceasing on 4 March, I would like to ask what will happen to the island's stock of vaccines?

A

Will there be some doses that are able to be kept for possible use in later campaigns, or would there be issues with the formulation of future vaccines being different and or use-by dates meaning existing stocks cannot be used?

B

If they have to be disposed of, will that disposal happen here or are doses shipped back to UK?

C

How many doses are likely to be surplus?

D

Is there a cost to the island of the doses, and or the disposal?

E

Depending on the answers above, has there been any thought given to offering vaccines that might otherwise become obsolete to people outside the current existing eligibility bracket for example people in their 30s and 40s who might welcome the extra protection? If this was considered, what decision was reached?

F

Will the vaccination centre at the Fort remain open after 7 March for those wanting first and second doses, or will these be given elsewhere? If the Fort remains open, will its hours change?

G

How many doses were delivered each week during the first two months of 2023?

Response 

A

Stock of COVID-19 vaccine may be used in future programmes. However, the vaccines do have limited expiry dates and new formulations are possible.  It will also be dependent on the course of the disease and national recommended guidance, which includes eligible groups.

B

Any expired vaccine stock will be disposed of in Jersey. 

C

This is dependent on vaccine uptake and use in further campaigns, which cannot be determined currently.  Careful planning has taken place to ensure that sufficient vaccine supply has been available for islanders, whilst ensuring minimal wastage.

D

The disposal will be via the same route and process as other vaccines and medicines in accordance with the Medicines (Jersey) Law 1995. This does incur a cost. Further details are available in the following link: 

Medicines (Jersey) Law 1995 (jerseylaw.je)

E

In Jersey islanders are vaccinated in-line with recommendations as to who is eligible from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), with whom communication will continue. 

In-line with a statement from the JCVI advising that since the first COVID-19 vaccine was authorised for use in the UK in December 2020, the aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has been, and continues to be, the reduction of severe disease (hospitalisation and mortality) across the population, whilst also protecting healthcare systems. This accords with the requirements in Jersey. 

Jersey is also seeing a transition away from a pandemic emergency response towards pandemic recovery.  The JCVI, in its consideration of the 2023 COVID-19 vaccination programme, advised that the current Omicron era is characterised by:

• High levels of population immunity acquired through vaccination and/or natural infection
• Lower disease severity compared to infection due to previous SARS-CoV-2 variants.

During this time, the risk of severe COVID-19 continues to be disproportionately greater in those from older age groups, older adult residents in care homes, and persons with certain underlying health conditions.  Compared to the initial phases of the pandemic, much more is now understood regarding SARS-CoV2 infection.  However, there remains ongoing uncertainty regarding virus evolution, the durability and breadth of immunity, and the epidemiology of infection.  These uncertainties limit the immediate development of a routine immunisation programme against COVID-19.

F

The Fort will remain open with normal operating hours to ensure protection and advice can continue for the most vulnerable including the immunosuppressed and those that wish to commence or complete their primary course of vaccination.  Additionally, the Flu vaccine programme will continue until 31st March 2023 with the ability for vaccines to be received for free to eligible groups at GP Surgeries, Pharmacies and Fort Regent until 31st March 2023. 

G

Please see table below: