Covid latest: Big fall in cases - and numbers show benefits of boosters

Tuesday 11 January 2022

There are hopes that the Bailiwick's 'omicron wave' has peaked after the number of known active cases of covid-19 fell by more than 500 over the weekend.

Since Friday, 866 people have recovered and 320 new cases have been identified. As of yesterday afternoon, there were 1,752 known active cases, including 114 in Alderney.

Meanwhile, the States say the latest information on the status of people infected indicate that anyone who has not received a booster vaccine is “three to four times more likely to have a covid-19 infection" than someone who is boosted. 

“Using case numbers from Thursday 6th January and their vaccination status, 2.5% of everyone who had received a booster dose had covid while 8.3% of all those who had not had a booster were covid positive,” said the States. 

Pictured: The States released this graphic to illustrate how the booster vaccine affects a person's chances of being infected with covid-19.

“We had a fantastic response to the booster programme in the lead up to Christmas,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr Nicola Brink.

“We expected numbers to fall away over the New Year period, but it is now really important that we have a big push now and get as many of those who are yet to be boosted done as quickly as possible.

"I really cannot understate the importance of being boosted as protection against covid-19 as quite simply it is so important to help us move out of the pandemic.”

Dr Brink said that evidence shows that a booster vaccine also means a person is less likely to suffer symptoms, including serious symptoms, if they do become infected.

“We have heard various but consistent reasons why some people aren’t getting their booster and I just want to go over three of them.

“The first is that people believe omicron is milder, so they’re prepared to take their chances. Omicron may be milder than delta but it still has the potential to be serious or, even if not serious, very unpleasant. Getting boosted massively increases the likelihood of you having milder disease.

“The second reason we’re hearing is that people had a reaction to their primary dose so don’t want the booster. I completely understand that for some people the vaccine can make them feel unwell for a day or two, but the vaccine is designed to help prepare your body to fight off the virus should you get it.

Pictured: “As the virus moves from pandemic to endemic status then I think we will possibly be looking at an annual vaccine,” said Dr Nicola Brink, Medical Officer of Health.

“The third reason we’re hearing for people not getting the booster is that simply they have vaccine fatigue. They’re wondering where it will end and are a bit fed up of having to deal with covid now.

“I think a lot of people can relate to that but I would like to reassure those people that as a person is vaccinated with multiple doses the immune system broadens its response. 

“Getting everyone boosted gives us the best chance to get back to a more normal existence as quickly as possible.”