Second Covid-19 vaccine policy (FOI)

Request

Becky Sherrington, Jersey's Covid-19 Vaccination Lead recently said:

"The Pfizer vaccine cannot be transported from one location to another once it is diluted and ready for use, which makes the AstraZeneca vaccine a more practical solution when vaccination teams are out delivering vaccine in islanders’ homes. Having the option to give the AstraZeneca vaccine as an alternative second dose will provide much more flexibility".

I read that this is also endorsed by Dr Muscat.

Given that a UK study of 600 volunteers only began in early February on the efficacy on mixing vaccines, I would like to see the scientific evidence used by the Jersey teams for approving that, to show that it does not just rely on expediency with any issues over the supply of different vaccines, especially as one is an RNA vaccine and the other is an adenovirus vaccine.

The UK trial details are available at the following link:

Covid trial in UK examines mixing different vaccines

Response

As we are now in a place where the majority of care home residents have been vaccinated, the requirement is now switching to providing small amounts of vaccines ad hoc for a small number of individuals. As has been reported, we have referred to the Joint Committee for Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) advice and our on island medical experts to endorse a policy of offering alternative second doses so that the most vulnerable don’t have to wait longer than necessary and also save potential waste caused by vaccine logistical constraints. We will therefore only be administering the AstraZeneca vaccine as a second dose in the community.

The Patient Group Directive (PGD) and JCVI guidance allow for a different second vaccine if the first is either unknown or not available at the site of vaccination.

“For individuals who started the schedule and who attend for vaccination at a site where the same vaccine is not available, or if the first product received is unknown, it is reasonable to offer one dose of the locally available product to complete the schedule. This option is preferred if the individual is likely to be at immediate high risk or is considered unlikely to attend again. In these circumstances, as the vaccines are based on the spike protein, it is likely the second dose will help to boost the response to the first dose.”

Covid-19 - SARS-CoV-2