First batch of booster invitations posted this week

Thursday 23 September 2021

The covid-19 booster programme launched this week, with the first 500 invitations already posted.

The booster programme signals the next phase of the Bailiwick of Guernsey Vaccination Programme and will be offered to certain groups alongside the annual influenza jab.

Pictured: People who don’t meet these criteria will not be offered a booster jab yet.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation continues to investigate whether people outside of these criteria will require a booster in the future.

People will be offered either the Pfizer of the Moderna vaccine, and similarly to before they won’t be offered a choice.

“We’ve planned for it, we’re ready to go,” said the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicola Brink, during the latest media briefing.

“We’ve got all our documentation together, our vaccine suppliers are in place, we’ve identified our groups and we’ll start vaccinating towards the end of this week.”

Pictured: Dr Brink announced the arrival of the booster programme during the latest media briefing.

The Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour will continue to be used to deliver the booster programme in Guernsey and the vaccination team are working with both Alderney and Sark to get boosters to eligible people there.

Islanders will only be eligible if they sit within the criteria guided by the JCVI and if they’re six months clear of their second vaccination.

Additionally, a bespoke vaccination programme is currently underway to protect people with weakened immune systems.

“We work with the primary care provider of the individual,” said Dr Brink. 

“For example, if someone is getting chemotherapy you might plan to give that third dose between two cycles of chemotherapy to ensure that you have an optimal response.”