Second round of vaccine doses begins

Friday 05 March 2021

Appointments for second doses of the covid vaccine open next week for Islanders who received their first jab at the beginning of the year.

From yesterday, islanders aged over 80 and those who work in health and social care started to receive text messages or emails confirming the date and time of their second jab.

On Thursday, it was also announced that almost 100% of Islanders in this age bracket had received their first dose, followed by 94% of those aged 75 to 79, and 93% of those aged 70 to 74.

For the first time, the Government also released figures for the number of people in priority groups – those working in health care or at high or moderate risk due to a health condition – who had been vaccinated.

1,330 frontline health and social workers – representing 90% of the total – have received their first jab. For their non-frontline colleagues, it is 2,146 workers, or 63% of the cohort.

83% of those deemed clinically extremely vulnerable have had their first jab while 65% at moderate risk have had theirs.

Pictured: The rollout for second doses will take place alongside first jabs for the over 50s. The 50-54 age group opens on Monday.

Vaccination Programme Head Becky Sherrington said: “I’m pleased we can start administering second doses of the covid-19 vaccine to ensure our most vulnerable and at-risk islanders receive the full course of the vaccination which offers optimum protection. 

“These groups of islanders will be the first to receive their second doses since we adopted the 10-12 week dose interval based on the JCVI guidelines which we follow.

“Completing the full cycle of the covid-19 vaccination programme for these islanders is incredibly positive. Despite the vaccines giving good protection after the first dose, it’s essential that islanders attend for their second dose to make sure they’re fully vaccinated, giving themselves the best protection against covid-19”.

Ross Barnes, Operations Lead for the covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “I’d like to reassure islanders that the messages have been sent to them from our vaccination team and they shouldn’t be considered a scam.

“The text messages and emails will be staggered throughout the day, so if you do not immediately receive a message from us, please be aware that it will be on the way.

“Some islanders will have relied on family or friends to help them book their first appointment. If you booked an appointment for a family member or friend using your own phone number or email address, please make sure to look out for the correspondence and ensure the details are passed on.”

Mr Barnes added that those who had booked their first dose via their parish hall or a community group would be contacted by them.

He said that if islanders are unable to attend the appointment time they have been given, they should call the Coronavirus free helpline on 0800 756 5566 to reschedule.

Most islanders will receive the same type of vaccine - Pfizer or AstraZeneca - but, depending on supplies, a small number of people may receive the other type. This ‘mix and match’ approach has been approved by Public Health England.