Wednesday 30 December 2020
Today is another significant milestone in the battle against COVID-19 with the authorisation of the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca for use in the UK.
This authorisation was granted on the basis of the safety, quality and efficacy data submitted by AstraZeneca to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
The Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell met at 13.30 today to examine the scientific evidence and consider recommending to the Medicines Committee that the vaccine be designated for local use. In turn, the Medicines Committee will then determine whether a request should be made to the Committee forHealth and Social Care to issue a temporary license for use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the Bailiwick.
Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health said:
'The announcement made by the MHRA today with regard to the availability of a second COVID-19 vaccine is excellent news for our community. The protection afforded by a vaccine gives us real hope that we can see the end of the pandemic. We have already delivered the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (the first vaccine to be approved) to some members of our community and we look forward to expanding this programme with the availability of a second vaccine.
The AstraZeneca vaccine does not require storage at ultra-low temperatures making transport of the vaccine to Alderney and Sark possible.'
As with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine the AstraZeneca vaccine, subject to approval from the Medicines Committee through the Committee for Health & Social Care, will be
- Used in the Bailiwick for individuals aged over 18 years; and
- Administered to the priority groups for coronavirus vaccination as advised by the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (the JCVI).
Deputy Brouard, President of the Committee forHealth & Social Care said:
'I am very pleased that HSC will be in a position to consider the recommendations of the Medicines Committee regarding the designation of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the Bailiwick. As with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, we must consult with the Policy & Resources Committee as well as Sark and Alderney.
Whilst the announcement of a second vaccine is welcome news, we must not be complacent.
Please remember that the vaccination is NOT compulsory. It is entirely voluntary and, if you are offered the vaccine, you must make a decision on whether to have it. Whilst information on vaccines is available on the Coronavirus website, you may also wish to speak to a health professional before you make a final decision.
Please make sure, if you are looking for information on the internet, that you are using reputable sources of information. Again, a link to an independent source of information about vaccines is on the States website.'
Deputy Peter Ferbrache, Chair of the Civil Contingencies Authority said:
'Following this welcome news this morning, I would like to thank the Minister of State for Health for recently confirming that the Bailiwick will receive its pro-rata allocation of any vaccines available through the NHS supply chain.
We await confirmation of when we will receive our allocation of this new vaccine and will provide further information as soon as we receive it.'
The Community Vaccination Centre is ready to be deployed to immunise the prioritised groups. Five working days, rather than the 10 previously anticipated, are required to ensure it is ready to welcome the first cohort to be vaccinated there. The start date for the CVC is dependent upon the shipment of vaccines to the Bailiwick.
In addition to those who will be vaccinated in the Community Vaccination Centre, Primary Care doctors are ready to immunise care home residents in their own homes and the PEH will continue to be used as a satellite vaccine centre.
