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Another round of covid-19 booster vaccines will be available this spring for the over-75s and those with a weakened immune system.
The UK Government announced the additional round of vaccinations last month and the States have now said they will be available in the Bailiwick over the next few weeks.
Announcing the move, Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, pictured top, said that "offering a spring booster dose to the most vulnerable in our community makes sense given we know that immunity wanes over time [and] it’s already been six months since their last dose for some of that group".
"We have consistently aligned our vaccination programme to the UK's and the advice of the JCVI," said Deputy Brouard.
Pictured: The Community Vaccination Centre at Beau Sejour is moving rooms this week - from the Sir John Loveridge Hall to the Cambridge and Delancey meeting rooms.
Those eligible for a spring booster will be advised by letter once six months have passed since their most-recent vaccine dose. That will be this month for some eligible islanders and over the next few weeks for others.
"The JCVI guidance states that immunity derived from vaccination declines over time and many of the oldest adults and most vulnerable people received their most-recent vaccine dose in September or October 2021," said the Committee for Health & Social Care.
"These individuals are at much higher risk of severe covid-19. Therefore, as a precautionary strategy to maintain high levels of immunity, the JCVI advised that an extra spring dose is offered around six months after the last vaccine dose for this cohort."
The latest number of known cases of covid-19 is set to be released on Tuesday. Last Tuesday, there were 2,574 known cases, but Dr Brink said the actual number of cases circulating in the Bailiwick could be as high as 5,000 and predicted that known cases will continue to increase for the time being.
Services under pressure as covid cases reach new high of 2,500+
Another booster jab likely in autumn
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