Covid-19 vaccine efficacy and guidance (FOI)

Request

A

I am over 80 and had my first Pfizer BioNTech Covic 19 vaccine on Friday 15 January.

I have been told that I will not have the second dose within the interval recommended by Pfizer. Does the Government of Jersey (GOJ) have any evidence that giving the second dose after a longer interval than the one recommended by Pfizer is as effective as the interval recommended by Pfizer?

B

If the GOJ does not have this evidence, what evidence do they have about the efficacy of immunity if the interval is extended compared with the efficacy of immunity if the second dose is given within the interval recommended by Pfizer?

C

If the GOJ does not have any evidence for B above, what evidence do they have to support its decision to offer the second dose to over 80's after a longer interval than that advised by Pfizer?

Response

A

It is the current Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) and the UK Medical Regulator (MRHA) recommendation that “the second dose of all vaccines should be routinely scheduled between four and 12 weeks after the first dose. This will reduce confusion and allow more people to benefit from the protection provided from the first dose during the roll out phase. Longer term protection will then be provided by the second dose.” We are therefore following this recommendation and offering second doses between three and 12 weeks. Evidence of which this recommendation was based upon is as attached:

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination 

B

Further International efficacy data is currently under review by the JCVI and will be published in due course.

C

The Government of Jersey is following the MRHA and JCVI advice published on the 30 December as per the link above.