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The ‘Oxford Vaccine’ could soon be rolled out in the island after getting the green light by the MHRA.
A meeting has been held by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell to assess the latest medical milestone and what needs to be done next to have it available to people in the Bailiwick.
AstraZeneca is a UK pharmaceutical company which has been working closely with Oxford University – from which the vaccine has gained its nickname – on its development.
Pictured: The first doses of the Pfizer vaccine have already been administered to members of our community.
The next stage will see the Medicines Committee request the Committee for Health and Social Care to issue a temporary licence for the vaccine.
“I am very pleased that HSC will be in a position to consider those recommendations” said HSC President Deputy Al Brouard.
If approved for use the new vaccine will join the Pfizer vaccine in the battle against corona virus. It will only be administered to those over the age of 18, will be given to priority groups first and it has once again been stressed that it is not compulsory.
“It is entirely voluntary and, if you are offered the vaccine, you must make a decision on whether to have it,” said Deputy Brouard.
Guernsey follows the guidelines stipulated by the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency, who say that due to an absence of evidence on the effects the vaccines have on children and adolescents, they should only be administered to people over the age of 18.
Pictured: The AstraZeneca vaccine will be easier to transport and store as it doesn’t need to be kept at ultra-low temperatures.
It has been confirmed that a pro-rata allocation of vaccines will be received by the Bailiwick once HSC has given it the go ahead - which is expected to mean tens of thousands of doses.
This development sees us getting closer to having the Community Vaccination Centre deployed. We’ve now been told that the St John Loveridge Hall at Beau Sejour could be ready in five days, not the ten initially predicted, once mass priority vaccination starts.
As we edge into 2021, Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink has welcomed the news.
“The announcement made by the MHRA today with regard to the availability of a second Covid-19 vaccine is excellent news for our community," she said.
Pictured: The AstraZeneca vaccine is administered in two doses, much like the Pfizer vaccine.
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