Latest data revealed yesterday showed that Jersey passed the 20,000 mark in its vaccination programme last weekend, reaching a total of 21,007 by the end of Sunday. More than 17,000 have received their first dose of the vaccine with a further 3,000 having received both jabs.
The Island’s progress equates to 19.5 doses given for every 100 people, and compares with figures from other jurisdictions on the same date: the UK figure was 18.9 cases per 100, with the USA on 12.5 and the EU on 3.9.
Israel remains the country with the highest figure globally – 64.9 – while Guernsey’s latest data is expected to be published today.
Yesterday’s statistics revealed a particularly large increase among the 70-to-74-year-old age group, with the proportion who had received their first dose rising from 10% to 78% over the previous seven days.
Having hoped to achieve at least 80% coverage among vulnerable groups, vaccination programme lead Becky Sherrington said she was ‘incredibly proud’ to have surpassed this mark, with 94% of care home residents, 96% of over-80s and 88% of those aged 75 to 79 having received first doses.
Mrs Sherrington said that the Island remained on track to administer first doses to all over-50s and anyone classed as being clinically ‘at risk’ by 29 March, although she added that this ambition remained dependent on supplies of the vaccine.
A group of around 9,000 Islanders classed as being at risk and aged 16 to 64 are next in line for their vaccine and should receive a letter from their GP during the coming week.
The latest phase will run across the next three weeks and be split into three groups: those who are at risk and aged 55 or above can make appointments from Monday 15 February, while anyone who is at risk and aged 45 to 54 can do so from 22 February, and those 16- to 44-year-olds who are at risk can make their bookings from 24 February.
Islanders have been urged to check the definitions for at risk groups via the gov.je website and allow time for their letter to arrive before contacting their GP.
During a media briefing yesterday it was revealed that some Islanders had contracted Covid-19 after having a vaccination. Deputy medical officer of health Dr Ivan Muscat said the number was ‘very small’, with the majority of cases coming within 14 days of vaccination, before maximum immunity had been reached, and that analysis of cases would be carried out before exact figures were published.
Dr Muscat also said that the question of ‘vaccine passports’ for Islanders was being considered, although he stressed this was at an early stage.
‘We would need to consider how the passport would accommodate any need for future doses or changes to the vaccine,’ he said. ‘We are still learning about Covid and are not sure where it’s going to take us.’
