JERSEY could soon follow the UK in winding down its Covid-19 vaccination programme for those who are healthy and not deemed vulnerable.
The UK’s Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisations, whose advice has been followed closely in Jersey since the first Covid vaccines became available in December 2020, is advising UK governments to move towards a more targeted approach for vaccination – and members of the vaccination board in the Island are due to discuss this approach.
Jersey’s director of public health, Professor Peter Bradley, said: ‘Jersey has not deviated from JCVI guidance on Covid-19 vaccination since the programme began, however the latest announcement regarding the removal of certain vaccination offers will need to be discussed by our vaccination board.
‘We will always make decisions to best suit Jersey and with Islanders’ health and wellbeing in our best interest.’
Professor Bradley said no decision had yet been made about the future of the vaccination centre at Fort Regent, which is currently open five days a week. Around 1,750 doses of vaccine have been delivered over the past seven weeks at Fort Regent and community clinics.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, the JCVI’s chair of Covid-19 vaccination, said: ‘The Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to reduce severe disease across the population, while helping to protect the NHS.
‘That is why we have advised planning for further booster vaccines for persons at higher risk of serious illness through an autumn booster programme later this year.
‘We will very shortly also provide final advice on a spring booster programme for those at greatest risk.’
JCVI advice has prompted a decision that in England those aged 16 to 49 who are not in a clinical risk group would not be able to receive a third vaccine dose after 12 February, with the 2022 autumn booster campaign closing on the same day.
Last week Jersey’s government confirmed that the majority of Covid measures would cease by the end of January.
