24 November 2021
Islanders aged 40 to 49 years old can now book their COVID-19 booster, and 16 and 17 year olds can book their second COVID-19 vaccine. This follows the latest advice issued from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Islanders are encouraged to book their appointment as soon as they are eligible as appointments are becoming fully booked approximately one week in advance due to increased demand.
Booster dose for 40 to 49 year olds
Islanders must ensure six months or more have passed since their second dose was administered by checking the date on their paper COVID Status Certificate.
Clinical at-risk Islanders aged 40 to 49 can receive their free flu vaccine at the same time as their booster, if they have not already received it at their GP or pharmacy. All Islanders aged 50 and above continue to be eligible for a free flu vaccine at the same time as their booster.
All COVID-19 vaccines show a waning immunity with time which is greater with increasing age. Immunity provided from a second COVID-19 dose reduces to around 50-60% efficacy after six months. While this still offers some protection against the virus, the booster dose is a vital part of the vaccination schedule for those who are eligible.
Second dose for 16 and 17 year olds
Before booking, 16 and 17 year olds must check that 12 weeks or more have passed since their first dose was administered, or since testing PCR positive for COVID-19, whichever comes later. This will be checked by nurses at the appointment.
While first dose vaccinations for students aged 12 and above will be available in schools from Monday 29 November, second doses for Islanders aged 16 and above will only be administered by booked appointment at Fort Regent.
Walk-in appointments for first doses, where no booking is required, remains available for young Islanders aged 12 to 17.
If young Islanders have any questions about COVID-19 vaccination, they can submit their questions to a team of medical experts via Sli.do by using the hashtag #GetTheFacts. Additionally, the vaccination team will be contacting all eligible 16 and 17 year olds with information about their second vaccination.
The Minister for Health and Social Services
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “Last week, we welcomed the latest JCVI advice about offering 16 and 17 year olds a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as 40 to 49 year olds a booster dose; and I am pleased that the Vaccination Centre will now be taking appointments now.
“We are seeing appointments get booked up quickly lately due to more Islanders becoming eligible for boosters or second doses and coming forward to get their vaccine, which is great to see. Islanders are encouraged to book an appointment as soon as they can, and young Islanders continue to be able to get their first dose at Fort Regent without a booked appointment.
“The Vaccination Programme has seen a lot of progress recently, including the plan to roll out first doses to students aged 12 and above within secondary schools from next week. Parental consent will need to be given for any young person under the age of 16 years old, and I’d like to take this opportunity to remind parents and students aged 16 and above who have not yet returned the consent form to school, to do so before this Friday (26 November).
“Our programme always follows the advice of medical and scientific experts including the JCVI, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the UK’s Chief Medical Officers. The vaccine has been administered to millions of adults and children around the world, which has saved countless lives. I’d like to thank Islanders once again for their continued support towards the programme; vaccination has been an integral tool in our fight against COVID-19, and remains vitally important, particularly in the run up to a busy festive season.”
gov.je