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The next batch of covid-19 vaccines has arrived in Jersey, paving the way for the next stage in the programme.
There are 1,950 doses in this batch, which are currently being stored in an ultra-low temperature freezer, which means that vaccination team will be ready to start the next phase of vaccinations to schedule.
The next batch of COVID-19 vaccines have arrived today and are being stored in the ultra-low temperature freezer.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 15, 2020
There are 1,950 doses in this batch, and this means the vaccination team will be ready to start the next phase of vaccinations, to schedule. pic.twitter.com/sIKGrKb8LD
They are expected to be used on residential home and home care staff, so they do not have to travel for vaccination and can remain with care home residents.
Following that, the next stages of the process will be taking place at Fort Regent, which has been designated as the island's main vaccination centre.
The first part of the vaccination process got underway on Sunday - a day earlier than planned due to a sudden rise in covid-19 cases in local care homes.
Pictured: Fort Regent will be the island's mass vaccination centre.
In the last two days, 470 people across nine local residential and care homes across the island have been given the jab.
The vaccination team is expected to have given all first doses to care home residents, as well as vulnerable islanders staying at Les Amis, by the end of this week. The second dose will be given 21 days later, meaning that all those that have been vaccinated so far should have immunity from the illness in the new year.
Great-grandmother Beryl Taylor (87) was among the first few to receive her injection, and encouraged all islanders to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated.
The Operations Lead for the Covid Vaccination Programme, Ross Barnes, described the first day of vaccines as an “emotional day for the medical team, as they helped people take their first step towards resuming normal life.”
Video: Beryl Taylor encouraged all islanders to take the opportunity to be vaccinated.
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf added: “I was delighted to see Beryl Taylor, who was among the first in Jersey to receive this vaccination, recommending it to others. We want to protect people and help them return to normality and vaccination is the best way to achieve this.
“This is the largest and most comprehensive vaccination programme that Jersey’s healthcare sector has managed, and I would like to congratulate them on the work they put in to start the programme a day early. I would also like to thank the care home managers and their teams for their hard work to ensure residents were informed and prepared ahead of their vaccinations. The sooner we can get our vulnerable population protected, the better it will be for all of us. I would strongly encourage as many people as possible to be vaccinated, as this is how we can start returning to normal life.”
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