Covid boosters available for people aged 30-39

Islanders aged 30 to 39 can book their COVID-19 booster dose from tomorrow, Friday 10 December. 

Last week’s operational changes have made a significant number of additional booster appointments available, so the Vaccination Centre will be able to welcome more Islanders for their booster (third) dose from tomorrow. 

The booster dose interval for all Islanders aged 30 and over is now three months, which follows the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in response to the Omicron variant. This means any Islander aged 30 and over who received their second dose three or more months ago can book a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine. 

Last week, Jersey’s Vaccination Programme began its rollout of the new expanded vaccination programme, as advised by the JCVI, in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant.

The appointment dates for Islanders aged 18 years and over, who are eligible for a booster dose, have not changed but are subject to movement depending on availability. 

Emma Baker, who will be taking over as Head of the Vaccination Programme, said: “I am really pleased with the level of booster vaccination uptake so far, in the short space of time it has been available, and I am glad that we have the capacity to open up booster appointments to Islanders aged 30 and over from midnight tonight. 

“Vaccination appointments get booked up quickly, so Islanders should book their appointment as soon as they are eligible - which is once three months or more have passed since their second dose was administered, or four weeks after recovering from a PCR confirmed COVID infection.

“Immunity from a second dose begins to wane and reduces to around 50 to 60% efficacy after six months, so the booster dose is a vital part of the vaccination schedule. The booster takes a couple of weeks to fully work so by getting vaccinated now, you will be giving yourself good protection over Christmas and New Year, and for 2022 when many Islanders may be thinking about travel plans.”