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Islanders over the age of 12 with severely weakened immune systems will soon be invited to have a third dose of the covid vaccine.
Dr Ivan Muscat MBE, the Deputy Medical Officer of Heath, confirmed the news this afternoon after the move was officially recommended by the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), whose guidance Jersey follows.
Eligible islanders include, but are not limited to, those affected by leukaemia, advanced HIV and recent organ transplants.
Health and GPs will be working together to identify everyone that should get a third dose, but anyone who thinks they might fall into the category of “severely immunosuppressed” is being advised to get in touch with their specialist team or GP.
Anyone over the age of 12 who thinks they might be eligible is now being advised to contact their GP.
“It is now clear that individuals who are severely immunosuppressed, due to underlying health conditions or medical treatment, may not mount a full immune response to two doses of covid-19 vaccination, and a third dose of the vaccine will improve their chances of developing a good antibody response,” Dr Muscat explained.
“Preliminary data from the OCTAVE trial showed that almost everyone who was immunosuppressed mounted an immune response after 2 doses, as indicated by either antibodies or T cells. However, in around 40% of people, the levels of antibodies were low. It is not clear how much this may affect protection against covid-19 as antibodies represent only part of a person’s immune response.
“The JCVI has advised a preference for an mRNA vaccine as the third primary dose, which means the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will be offered, with the option of the AstraZeneca vaccine for specific individuals who have received this vaccine previously, where this would facilitate delivery.
“We will be working with hospital specialist teams and GPs to identify groups who are eligible for a third dose. We advise that if you think you’re eligible, you contact your specialist team or GP, who will ensure that the Vaccination Team are notified. You will then be contacted for an appointment.
He added that Jersey was still “awaiting the final guidance from the JCVI on the separate mass booster programme for autumn and will issue further information once we have the guidance.”
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