Guernsey Covid-19 booster programme progressing well

In line with the latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Committee for Health & Social Care has agreed that the following Bailiwick residents will be offered a Covid-19 booster this autumn:

• All adults aged 50 years and over
• Those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
• Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• Those aged 16 to 49 who are carers
• Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• Front line health and social care workers

All those aged 65 and over, along with front line health and social care workers, have been invited for their autumn booster. A total of 7,975 letters have been sent so far, with 68% of recipients having booked an appointment at either the CVC at Raymond Falla House or at their normal Primary Care practice. Remaining cohorts will receive their letter in the coming weeks.

Islanders are reminded that they cannot have a booster until 28 days have passed since a positive LFT. Those aged 12 to 17 will need to wait 12 weeks.

Alex Hawkins-Drew, Vaccination Programme lead said: “Based on data we have, we know there is currently Covid-19 circulating in our community. We know that the Covid-19 vaccination is very effective in protecting those most at risk against severe disease and hospitalisation.

“Our successful vaccination programme has meant that while we are seeing cases of Covid-19 increase, there have been fewer people, particularly older residents, experiencing severe disease or requiring hospitalisation.

“We are working in collaboration with our colleagues in Primary Care for the autumn booster programme, who are providing valuable capacity to enable us to meet the demand for vaccines. The programme is progressing well and we would encourage all those invited for a booster to take up that offer.”