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Health & Social Care is preparing for a voluntary covid-19 vaccination programme, with hopes that it could be up and running by the end of the year.
A lot of work needs to be done first though, to make sure the Bailiwick's healthcare system is prepared for the challenges of the programme, the anticipated scale and complexity.
HSC has been able to start on preparations, thanks to a unanimous States decision changing the law to allow the programme to take place as soon as possible. This means that HSC will be able to access a vaccine before it has all four licensing approvals usually required, which will not be possible by the end of the year due to the speed at which vaccines are being developed.
"The States' decision enables Public Health Services to continue to plan for the delivery of a voluntary vaccination programme in the same timeframe as other parts of the British Isles," explained President of the Committee, Deputy Heidi Soulsby.
"With a number of candidate vaccines in various phases of development, plans are being actively developed for a range of different operational possibilities, so that the programme can commence as soon as a vaccine and the precise details of its use are available."
Pictured: HSC President, Deputy Heidi Soulsby, has spoken out about the plans.
Timeframes are still unknown at the moment, but it has been suggested that a vaccine might be available before the year is out.
"We have, throughout the pandemic, been guided by local, national and international evidence and this will continue to be the case," Deputy Soulsby said. "Through the Science and Technical Advice Cell, and the wider professional networks our professionals feed into, we have access to high quality expertise which will allow us to assess recommendations of the Joint Committee on Immunisation, which provides expert advice to the UK Government on all matters relating to vaccine usage.
"Specifically, this committee advises the Secretary of State in the UK, in the respect of the temporary authorisation of a vaccination product."
Earlier this week, Deputy Soulsby spoke out against "absolute rubbish" on social media about HSC's approach to the corona virus.
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Health boss warns against "absolute rubbish" on social media
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