01 April 2022
More than 40% of all eligible Islanders have received their spring booster since it became available two weeks ago.
Spring boosters are currently being offered to the following vulnerable groups as advised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI):
- all Islanders aged 75 and over
- immunosuppressed Islanders aged 12 and over
- residents in care homes for older people
During the past two weeks, the vaccination team has been visiting care homes for older people to administer spring boosters to residents. The final care home will be completed next week and revisits will be made for any individuals who could not be vaccinated at the time of the first visit.
Uptake of first, second and third doses has been extremely high for Islanders aged 75 and over, and as of Sunday 27 March approximately 42% of Islanders had already received their spring booster (fourth dose).
Islanders aged 75 and over who are not resident in a care home and have not yet received their spring booster are being urged to book their appointment on gov.je/vaccine or by calling the Coronavirus Helpline on 0800 735 5566, as long as three months or more have passed since their last vaccination.
Immunosuppressed Islanders aged 12 and over do not need to make an appointment as they have been contacted directly.
Vulnerable Islanders are being offered a spring booster now because of their increased risk of developing severe illness due to COVID-19, the interval since their last vaccination and the associated waning of immunity since then.
Head of the Vaccination Programme, Emma Baker, said: "It is encouraging to see that we have had a good uptake for spring boosters so far and it is so important that this uptake does not slow down. This booster is extremely important for those Islanders it is currently being offered to, as their immunity will have waned since their last vaccination, and therefore they are now the most at risk in our Island.
"The vaccination team has been working hard prioritising vaccination for our most vulnerable Islanders and going out to care homes to ensure those older residents receive their spring booster. Due to some residents recently having had COVID-19, we will be revisiting some care homes to ensure everyone eligible has the opportunity to get vaccinated.
"I ask families and friends of elderly Islanders aged 75 and over to help them book their vaccination appointment at Fort Regent and ensure they get the protection they need against COVID-19."
Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Dr Ivan Muscat, said: "Boosters act as a top up to maintain the highest level of protection as immunity from previous doses begins to wane. The waning of immunity happens more quickly in older or immunosuppressed individuals, compared to younger or non-immunosuppressed individuals, and this is why the spring boosters are so important for this group.
"I urge those who have not yet booked an appointment at Fort Regent to not delay and do so as soon as possible, if you have any problems or questions, please call the Coronavirus Helpline on 0800 735 5566."
gov.je