High risk Islanders to receive vaccination invite letter

27 January 2021

Clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) adults (16+), who are at increased risk of severe illness and mortality from COVID-19, will receive a letter from Government tomorrow (Thursday 28 January) inviting them to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments from Monday, 1 February.

Only those who have been diagnosed with a condition or illness that makes them clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk), should expect to receive a letter. Islanders aged 70-74 will also be prioritised and will be able to book from 1 February but won’t be receiving a letter.

Clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) Islanders would have received a letter from their GP in June last year regarding their clinical risk to COVID-19. Those who haven’t received any correspondence from their GP or specialist doctor but believe they are in this category, should contact their GP surgery for advice and an assessment.

Islanders will need to have the following information on the vaccine recipient to make a booking online:
 
• Name, Address, Contact details
• Social Security number
• Date of Birth

It is essential that all clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) Islanders attending their vaccination appointment at Fort Regent bring their letter and personal ID.

Accompanying the letter is an Easy Read Information version for those Islanders who may have difficulty reading and understanding written information.

Since December 2020, updated guidance to the clinically extremely vulnerable (high-risk) category includes Islanders over the age of 70, Islanders with Down’s Syndrome and Islanders with stage five kidney disease.

Islanders aged 75-79 can already book their COVID-19 vaccine appointments which opened to this priority group from Monday 25 January.

Booking and appointments timeline:

Islanders aged 75-79

• Monday 25 Jan- Booking appointments open
• Saturday 30- Vaccine appointments available at Fort Regent

Clinically extremely vulnerable (high risk) Islanders (including 70-74)

• Thursday 28 January - Letters sent to high-risk Islanders (not including 70+)
• Monday 1 February – Booking appointments open
• Saturday 6 February - Vaccine appointments available at Fort Regent

Pregnant women with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired, should discuss the risks and benefits of having the vaccine with their GP or obstetric team.

As some Islanders might not have immediate access to the internet, in addition to family and friends helping, support for booking appointments is available through Parishes and by calling the Coronavirus Helpline on 445566 or the new free Coronavirus helpline on 0800 735 5566.