Phase 2 of vaccination imminent, prioritising age not profession

Thursday 01 April 2021

The next phase of Guernsey’s Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin “imminently” and will focus on prioritising people by age instead of by profession.

This decision means teachers, law enforcement and other professions will not be prioritised for their jab at the beginning of phase 2, which is something the CCA initially said it wanted to do, if possible.

Originally, the need to follow the UK's lead was put forward as the stumbling block, since Guernsey receives its share of the vaccine through the NHS supply chain. However, the final decision appears to be a political decision locally. 

“We know there had been calls for some professions, such as teachers and police officers for example, to be prioritised in phase 2,” said President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Deputy Al Brouard.

“Having looked at it we can, quite simply, vaccinate these key staff groups quicker by progressing at speed through the already-defined age groups.”

Pictured: Concerns have previously been raised about the order key workers are being vaccinated in, with Bailiwick Law Enforcement yet to be prioritised.

The second phase for people in Guernsey aged 18-49 will continue to be delivered at Beau Sejour and will be rolled out based on age. Those aged 44-49 should start to receive their vaccination invitation "imminently", according to the States. 

The decision to continue vaccinating by age means we will continue to align with the JCVI guidelines, despite Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, having indicated a desire to depart from those guidelines.

The only staff that may be prioritised are those “supporting movement of people at the borders”.

“Anyone who works [in these roles], but who has not yet received the vaccine, should be prioritised during Phase 2,” said Deputy Brouard. “More work is being done on that at the moment.”