People in 30s to be offered covid vaccine choice

Saturday 08 May 2021

People aged 30 to 39 will now be given a choice between the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine, following updated guidance from the JCVI.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has reviewed data produced by Public Health England and has changed its stance following concerns on rare incidents of blood clotting.

There have been 242 cases of blood clotting in Britain following the AstraZeneca vaccine, out of 28.5 million doses of vaccine. The risk appears rare, but trends indicate it is slightly higher in younger people.

Pictured: If you’ve already had your first dose of AstraZeneva, Public Health says you should continue with the second dose.

Professor Wei Shen Lim from the JCVI  released a statement following the review of current data.

“Safety remains our number one priority. As Covid-19 rates continue to come under control, we are advising that adults aged 18 – 39 years with no underlying health conditions are offered an alternative to the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine, if available, and it it does not cause delays in having the vaccine.”

The States of Guernsey are now working to change the roll-out of the vaccine here and allow people under 40 the opportunity to choose which kind they want. 

Pictured: Public Health are working with Alderney and Sark to deliver their vaccines under the new guidance.

People who have already booked their vaccine before this new guidance - but have not yet had it - can request an alternative.

Earlier this year, Public Health stopped administering the vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca to people under the age of 30. The Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, offered advice to people concerned about the risk of blood clots.

“If they haven’t suffered a headache that lasted for more than 4 days after vaccination of bruising beyond the site of vaccination after a few days and were generally well during the 7 to 14 days after they received the dose of the vaccine, they are very unlikely to experience these side-effects.”