Booster vaccines offered to over 40s

Age bracket lowered following JCVI advice

People aged 40 and over on the Island are now being offered a Coronavirus booster vaccine.

Previously the jabs have only been offered to adults over 50 and those aged 16 and older with underlying health conditions which put them at risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

However the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has now advised the age bracket should be lowered.

This affects around 6,000 people on the Island.

The push comes as we approach the winter months - with recent data showing a booster increases protection back to over 90 per cent against symptomatic COVID-19. 

Health Minister Lawrie Hooper said: "By expanding the eligibility for the booster to include those aged 40 and over, it means that we are providing more of the community the chance to top-up their declining immunity ahead of winter.

"A drop in immunity following the first two primary doses could result in an uptick in cases and hospitalisation, resulting in added pressures for our health services in an already busy winter period.

"The encouraging results from the UKHSA highlight the importance of why those eligible should receive the booster.

"I urge anyone who is eligible and receives their invite to please come forward and take up the opportunity to get the booster. 

"Apart from protecting yourself it is the single most useful thing you can do to help prevent a surge in demand on the health care services at its busiest time of year."

Invites are being sent out to those aged 40 and older who received their second primary dose more than six months ago.

So far on the Island 13,000 residents have received a Covid-19 booster vaccine.