Wednesday 19 May 2021
Following the recent advice issued by the JCVI that individuals aged between 18 and 39 should be offered an alternative vaccine to Astra Zeneca where possible, those in that age cohort living in Alderney have been contacted to discuss their options.
mRNA vaccines (BioNTech and Moderna) are particularly vulnerable whilst in transit and are shipped to Guernsey under extremely strict conditions - including a temperature sensitive environment. The MHRA set strict handling criteria for these vaccines as part of their regulatory approval, in accordance with the efficacy data available from the vaccine manufacturer. It is, therefore, logistically not possible to then separate the required number from an individual batch to then take them to Alderney by plane or boat. In addition, handling these vaccines outside of the parameters set as part of the temporary or conditional authorisation would negate any efficacy data held on the vaccine.
The JCVI decision to recommend that all those aged 29 years or under to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and subsequently that those aged 30-39 are offered an alternative vaccine to AstraZeneca, meant that arrangements that were in place in Alderney to deliver vaccines to those aged between 30 and 39 had to be changed at pace.
Last week we sent out letters to those residents in Alderney that now need to receive their vaccine in Guernsey to advise them of the various arrangements that we have put in place: appointment clinic dates, flight arrangements, travel to and from the vaccination centre etc. Some Alderney residents may choose to decline this offer, and to have the AstraZeneca vaccine in Alderney after discussion with their health professional.