Channel Islands continue to follow JCVI guidance on covid jabs

Friday 20 May 2022

There are currently no plans to offer a fourth covid booster to most people, mirroring the recommendations set out by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The States of Guernsey reiterated that they are offering an evidence-based vaccination programme and did not rule out offering a fourth dose to the wider population without the guidance of the JCVI in future.

In February this year, the JCVI advised that the oldest and most vulnerable in society should be offered a fourth dose of vaccine, including those in care home settings.

This was based on the higher risk of those people developing severe illness from a covid-19 infection, and since their third dose came a few months before most of the population.

At the time of adoption in Guernsey, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard said: “We have consistently aligned our vaccination programme to the UK's and the advice of the JCVI."

The Government of Jersey has adopted the same approach for its vaccination strategy in continuing to follow the JCVI’s advice.  

Pictured: The vaccination statistics provided by the States of Guernsey.

As of 17 May, 155,684 doses of vaccine have been administered to people in the Bailiwick. 95% of adults have received the full initial course of two doses, with just 1% of adults only receiving one dose.

Close to 70% of those aged 12-15 years old have received at least one dose.

78% of adults are also reported to have received at least one booster dose in conjunction with the initial course of vaccines.

There is currently no data delineating how many fourth doses have been administered, how many young children have received a jab, and the number of secondary shots for non-adults.