Thursday 23 March 2023
Following the recent announcement of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) outlining the eligibility criteria, health professionals are ready to start delivering the COVID-19 Spring Booster programme.
The Spring Booster will be, with the exception of those eligible islanders who are homebound, and children aged 5 to 11 years who are immunocompromised, delivered by Primary Care in local GP practices. This is a deliberate move following the successful partnership working on the Autumn Booster programme and as we begin to view COVID-19 vaccines as 'business as usual' and delivered by Primary Care in the same way as many other vaccines.
The States of Guernsey vaccination team will deliver the vaccines to those who are homebound and for children aged 5 to 11 years. Anyone who meets these criteria will be given more details when they call to make an appointment.
As per previous programmes, arrangements are being made to send the vaccine to the GP practice in Alderney and to deliver the necessary doses to Sark.
This Spring Booster programme is available for [1]:
- adults aged 75 years and over.
- residents in a care home for older adults.
- individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.
From 24 March 2023, invitation letters will be sent in batches to around 7000 eligible islanders. These letters will invite you to call the Vaccine Contact Centre to make an appointment to receive a Spring dose of vaccine at your GP surgery. The first clinics are likely to begin during week commencing 3 April 2023. Please do not call until you have received your invitation letter.
Further information can be accessed on JCVI statement on spring 2023 COVID-19 vaccinations, 22 February 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[1] It should be noted that the JCVI guidance does NOT include household contacts of immunocompromised individuals for the Spring programme. This is due to vaccine efficacy which is not as long lasting for those who are immunosuppressed. Those who live with them will continue to benefit from protection of they received from previous doses.
