Weekly vaccine record smashed

Monday 20 December 2021

Nearly 9,000 people received covid-19 vaccines last week as the island responded to calls from the Medical Officer of Health to speed up the booster programme.

Early in the week, Dr Nicola Brink said there was a need to accelerate the booster programme as the island faced up to what she predicted would soon be "a tidal wave of omicron cases" of covid-19.

By the end of Sunday, thousands more people had come forward in what turned out to be a record-breaking week for vaccines. In total, the number of vaccines administered last week was almost 50% higher than in any week previously. 

Deputy Tina Bury, Vice-President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, said they were "incredible numbers and show the strength of the community's response to our efforts to accelerate the booster programme".

Pictured: Deputy Tina Bury, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, thanked the island for responding with unprecedented enthusiasm to Dr Nicola Brink's appeal to speed up the vaccine booster programme. 

More than 7,600 vaccines were administered at the Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour last week. And nearly 1,300 people had vaccines at GP surgeries as primary care providers were allowed to join the vaccine effort for the first time on Saturday. 

The Committee for Health & Social Care, which is responsible for the vaccine programme, is offering vaccines at a combination of pre-arranged appointments and walk-ins without appointment until 23 December. It will then move to walk-ins without appointment only. 

"We are trying to give as many people as possible the opportunity to receive their booster dose by the end of the year with the vast majority of people having the opportunity by mid-January," said Deputy Bury.

"In conjunction with the booster programme, we are also continuing to run our evergreen programme for anyone who for whatever reason decided against receiving the vaccine but has now decided they want to have it.

"Should you fall into this category, please be aware you can attend any walk-in clinic. If you are unsure, medical professionals are also on hand to offer advice and discuss any concerns with you before you make your decision."