Thursday 20 August 2020
Following the States' unanimous approval earlier this week of the legislative changes necessary to allow a voluntary COVID-19 vaccination programme to take place as soon a vaccine is available, work is continuing to ensure that HSC is well prepared for the challenges of delivering a vaccination programme of the anticipated scale and complexity.
Deputy Soulsby, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care said:
"The States' decision enables Public Health Services to continue to plan for the delivery of a voluntary vaccination programme in the same timeframe as other parts of the British Isles. With a number of candidate vaccines in various phases of development, plans are being actively developed for a range of different operational possibilities so that the programme can commence as soon as a vaccine and, the precise details of its use, are available. While timeframes are unknown, it is possible that a vaccine might be available by the end of the year.
"We have throughout the pandemic been guided by local, national and international evidence and this will continue to be the case. Through the Science and Technical Advice Cell, and the wider professional networks our professionals feed into, we have access to high quality expertise which will allow us to assess recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which provides expert advice to the UK Government on all matters relating to vaccine usage. Specifically, this Committee advises the Secretary of State in the UK, in the respect of the temporary authorisation of a vaccination product.
"Consultation with other States' Committees and with Alderney and Sark on the voluntary vaccination programme is ongoing and will be concluded this electoral term."
