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Nearly 1,000 doses of the covid vaccine have arrived in Jersey, ready for use in care homes.
The vaccination programme will begin with care home residents receiving their first dose on Monday 14 December, and their second dose 21 days later.
The second group to receive vaccination will be the approximately 2,500 care home staff, at the Vaccination Centre at Fort Regent on 21 December.
This delivery will then be followed by batches of varying sizes through the coming weeks.
Pictured: The covid vaccine arrived in Jersey today.
The news of the vaccine’s arrival comes following the announcement made by the Chief Minister last night that care homes would be shut to visitors, warning that they could not immunize those who are sick, and that a single cluster could stop a whole care home being vaccinated.
Vaccine Programme Lead Becky Sherrington said: “We are very lucky to be able to have an approved vaccine delivered to us this quickly. Our staff will be working hard to ensure Islanders are vaccinated safely and in priority order.
“This is a great leap forward in our joint efforts to tackle this pandemic and will ensure we can return to some sense of normality in the near future.”
It was supplied to us in specialist thermal shippers, containing dry ice. This is to keep the vaccine in a frozen state at -70 degrees. Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide and must be handled with extreme caution. Our pharmacy technicians are specially trained to do this.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 8, 2020
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf said: “Today is a momentous day and provides hope that we can make covid-19 a manageable virus.
“Vaccinating the Island will take time so for now we still must follow the public health guidance and regulations we have in place, keeping two metres distance, and wearing masks in indoor public spaces.
“I would like to encourage all residents of care homes and care home workers to take the vaccine when they offered it. It is essential that we protect our most vulnerable Islanders.”
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