Just under 1,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine have arrived in Jersey.
Care home residents will be the first to receive it from Monday 14 December. A doctor and several nurses will go into care homes to deliver them.
Care homes have been closed to visitors to make sure residents are well enough to receive the vaccine.
Around 2,500 care home staff will be the next to benefit from 21 December. They'll be the first to get it at the Covid-19 Vaccination Centre at Fort Regent.
The vaccines will be given in two doses, three weeks apart. They arrive in a fixed tray frozen at -70 and once they're opened, they have to be used within five days.
"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." - Becky Sherrington, Vaccine Programme Lead.
Batches of the vaccine will come in various amounts and will be delivered on a weekly basis.
"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." - Deputy Richard Renouf, Health Minister.
It's hoped that some frontline health staff may be able to get vaccinated before Christmas if stocks allow.
They, along with the over 80s and other health staff, are due to be the next in line in the new year.
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