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Vaccinations against covid-19 are being rolled out a day early in Jersey following the sharp rise in cases in care homes.
The programme, which was first due to target elderly and vulnerable islanders in residential homes, was initially due to start tomorrow (Monday 14 December).
On Friday, however, there was a sharp rise in cases in local care homes, with the number of individuals with covid rising by nearly five times within 24 hours.
There are now currently 20 individuals recorded as having the virus in care homes.
Our vaccination power squad assemble! Having worked around the clock to bring forward the programme by 1 day, the team will begin vaccinating care home residents today to ensure our most vulnerable Islanders are protected as soon as possible #covidvaccinejsy pic.twitter.com/KGtc6SwdVQ
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 13, 2020
On social media, the Government described today as an "historic day" for the island, and said that the vaccination team had worked "around the clock to bring forward the programme by one day."
Care homes shut to visitors earlier this week in anticipation of the first tray of 975 doses of vaccine arriving in Jersey.
The vaccine will be administered in two stages, with the second dose coming 21 days later.
On this historic day for Jersey, we hear from Dr Adrian Noon, Medical Director of Primary Care, before he sets off as part of the team of COVID-19 vaccinators to begin vaccinating our most vulnerable Islanders #covidvaccinejsy pic.twitter.com/nZGtiukzel
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 13, 2020
Once care home residents have been given the jab, a process will begin to vaccinate islanders aged 80 and over and frontline health workers. This will take place at a dedicated Vaccination Centre set up at Fort Regent.
Next will be islanders between the age of 75 and 65 and the 3,000 people considered at high risk. They will be followed by Tier 4 which will include younger people aged 50-64.
The rest of the population will form Tier 5 but it is unclear what age groups will be involved.
Pictured: The vaccine will be distributed in a staggered process.
Due to the lack of research having been done in children, the vaccine will not be offered to under 18s.
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Pictured top: The vaccine, and Medical Director of Primary Care Adrian Noon (front) and some of the vaccination team.
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