Walk-ins offered to boost jab take-up among young people

Thursday 22 July 2021

The Vaccination Centre will be offering walk-ins from next week as part of a drive to increase uptake in younger age groups.

Islanders over the age of 18 who bring ID with them will be able to get their first jab of the covid-19 vaccine on a first-come-first-served basis between 17:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:30 and 15:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

According to the latest available vaccination statistics, around 40% of islanders aged 18 to 29 have not yet had their first dose of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, just under a third of those aged 30-39 had not had their first dose.

Pictured: Vaccination data up to 14 July - the latest available from Government.

“…I understand that young people lead busy lives and cannot always commit to an allocated date and time, so I hope by making the extra effort to open the vaccine centre up in this way, it will make it easier for young islanders to go and get their first dose,” said Becky Sherrington, Head of the Vaccination Programme.

“We have chosen these designated times so that Islanders can come straight after work during the week, or at the start of the day over the weekend.”

She continued: “I’d like to remind Islanders that they can still book their first dose online or via the helpline and urge those who have not yet had their first dose to make use of the walk-in week, or book an appointment to be guaranteed a vaccine and therefore a good defense against the virus.”