Coronavirus: 1,300+ Islanders Vaccinated In First Week

Monday, 21 December 2020 14:45

All Jersey's care home residents who wanted to be vaccinated against coronavirus and we’re medically eligible have had their first dose.

The Pfizer/BioNTec jab has been given out to more than 1,300 islanders in just a week.

Staff at residential homes are next to have the inoculation, which started on Saturday at Fort Regent.

The vaccine requires a second dose after 21 days in order to be 95% effective.

Around 1 in 10 care home residents are also yet to be tested, as they either have COVID-19, are a direct contact or have test results pending.

Becky Sherrington, who leads the vaccination programme, says she's proud of what her team has achieved:

“I’m proud to say that our team have now delivered the COVID-19 vaccine to the Island’s most vulnerable people in just one week.

"Moving on to vaccinate care home and home care workers mean that we will be able to provide an extra layer of protection for our care home residents.”

Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, says it's an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19:

“With each group of Islanders we vaccinate, we move closer to restoring a sense of normality to our Island. I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to all the team who have worked tirelessly over the last week to help us reach this milestone.”