The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech has arrived in Jersey ready for the vaccination programme to begin.
Following the UK’s approval of the vaccine, Jersey has received a first batch of just under 1,000 doses which will be used to vaccinate care home residents as a first priority from Monday 14 December.
Vaccines will be given in two doses, 21 days apart and will be delivered by a team consisting of a doctor and several nurses.
The team will visit care homes to deliver the doses as quickly and as safely as possible.
The next priority group to be vaccinated consists of approximately 2,500 care home staff.
This group will be the first to receive their vaccination at the COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at Fort Regent with a planned start date of Monday 21 December.
Vaccine Programme Lead, Becky Sherrington said: “We are very lucky to be able to have an approved vaccine delivered to us this quickly. Our staff will be working hard to ensure Islanders are vaccinated safely and in priority order.
“This is a great leap forward in our joint efforts to tackle this pandemic and will ensure we can return to some sense of normality in the near future.”
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf said: “Today is a momentous day and provides hope that we can make COVID-19 a manageable virus.
“Vaccinating the Island will take time so for now we still must follow the public health guidance and regulations we have in place, keeping two metres distance, and wearing masks in indoor public spaces.”
“I would like to encourage all residents of care homes and care home workers to take the vaccine when they offered it. It is essential that we protect our most vulnerable Islanders.”
Batches of the vaccine will be in various amounts and delivered to the Island on a weekly basis.
Government of Jersey News Release.