Two in five 16 and 17-year-olds vaccinated against covid

Friday 10 September 2021

Two in five 16 and 17-year-olds are now vaccinated against covid, but the Government is still deliberating on whether to make the jab available to younger age groups.

Statistics released yesterday showed that, since 16–17-year-olds became eligible for the vaccine on 5 August, 44% have had their first dose.

However, take-up is continuing to stall in the 18 to 29 category, with more than a third still yet to have a single dose.

84% of people aged over 18 are now fully vaccinated.

The Health Minister described the response from sixth-form age students as “heartening”, while Vaccination Programme Head Becky Sherrington described it as “fantastic news”, saying: “It means that these young people can return to school, clubs and hobbies with an extra measure of protection. In doing so, they're also helping to protect their more vulnerable peers, and the island community as a whole.”

We've published the latest statistics regarding the number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered as at Sunday, 5 September 2021.

Statistics are published twice a week. Figures will be updated online, every Monday for the previous Wednesday, and every Thursday for the previous Sunday. pic.twitter.com/HceHoptgVw

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) September 9, 2021

Jersey’s medics are still yet to come to a decision on whether or not it will move ahead with vaccines for healthy 12 to 15-year-olds.

The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – whose advice Jersey has always followed – last week declined to give the idea the green light, with the final say left to each jurisdiction’s Chief Medical Officer.

It is the first time Jersey has been in a position where its own medics have had to come to a decision on vaccination without the JCVI’s endorsement. It is likely, however, that the island will follow the UK’s lead, as it provides the Jersey’s vaccine supply.

The Times reported this morning that England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty was “expected to recommend next week that children aged 12 and over be vaccinated  after expert advisers told him it would benefit their mental health, education and social development.”

Jersey’s current policy in relation to childhood vaccinations of any kind is that parental consent must be given.

However, children in this age group who are severely immunocompromised or who have someone extremely vulnerable in their household are already able to get the jab.

42 children in this age category have had their first dose.

The island is also yet to confirm exact details of its booster programme, which, as Express previously reported, will be teamed up with flu jabs.

Islanders who have yet to receive their first or second dose of the vaccine are able to book their appointment online, while walk-in slots are available at Fort Regent every weekday in September.