The UK announcement has been welcomed by Jersey’s Health Minister Richard Renouf, who said that preparations were now well advanced for the arrival of the first doses.
Age Concern vice-chairman Ben Shenton said that the distribution of vaccines would have a ‘significant positive impact’ on the freedom and mental health of many elderly residents.
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a speech outlining the UK government’s winter plan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, following the announcement of promising results from trials of the British-made University of Oxford vaccine.
The UK government has pre-ordered 100 million units of the Oxford vaccine, which tests indicate is 70% to 90% effective, as well as 90 million of the Pfizer vaccine, which is American and believed to be 90% effective. (News focus: page 9.)
Altogether the UK has 350 million vaccine doses lined up from various manufacturers and Jersey is entitled to a fixed fraction of them as a result of to procurement agreements it has in place with the NHS.
Chief Minister John Le Fondré said earlier this week that the government expected to start rolling out the vaccine in January and that, if the programme was successful, life could start getting ‘back to normal’ by April.
During his Commons speech, Mr Johnson said that all of the British jurisdictions, including Jersey, would have ‘more than enough’ doses for their populations.
‘The vaccine developed with astonishing speed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca is now one of three capable of delivering a period of immunity,’ he said.
‘We do not yet know when any will be ready and licensed, but we have ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and over 350 million in total – more than enough for everyone in the UK, the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories.
‘The NHS is preparing a nationwide immunisation programme, ready next month, the like of which we have never witnessed.’
Deputy Renouf said that he welcomed Mr Johnson’s confirmation that the Crown Dependencies – Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man – would receive all the vaccines they needed.
‘We have been working closely with the UK Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England for the delivery of a safe Covid-19 vaccine when it becomes available, and I’m pleased to see that the Prime Minister has confirmed this,’ he said.
‘We are preparing for the arrival of the first batch of vaccines, and will be prioritising at-risk Islanders for this initial delivery.’
Meanwhile, Mr Shenton said that the charity was ‘delighted’ to learn that a vaccine would be available soon.
‘Many of our members shall be prioritised to receive the vaccine as they will be in the vulnerable category,’ he said.
‘Age Concern Jersey is confident that the distribution will be managed in a professional manner based on risk and need.’
He added: ‘For many of our members, this will have a significant positive impact on both their freedom and mental health. Some have been locked away in their accommodation since March.
‘It is important that those receiving the vaccine do so in the knowledge of the benefits as well as any risks. While we would expect the majority to request a vaccination, the wishes of any minority that has reservations should be respected.’
