Under 40s to be offered AstraZeneca jab alternative

Anyone under the age of 40 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

The Island government has confirmed the change in approach following the latest advice issued by the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The updated guidance comes following a further review by the MHRA on extremely rare cases of blood clots following a first dose of the jab.

An initial review back in April saw new advice issued where an alternative would be given to anyone under 30 as a precaution.

Now, where available, an alternative is now also being offered to anyone aged 30 to 39 who doesn't have an underlying medical condition and where having a different one doesn't substantially delay in someone being vaccinated.

Health and Social Care Minister, David Ashford MHK, says: "I must emphasise that anyone who has received their first vaccine dose must have a second dose to be fully protected from COVID-19 and the current guidance is that the second dose must be the same brand as the first to ensure effectiveness.  If you have had a first dose of AstraZeneca then your second dose must be AstraZeneca.

"The JCVI advice is clear.  An alternative to AstraZeneca should only be considered where it will not cause a delay to getting vaccinated.  

"Given that we are looking at an almost three month wait for further supplies of Pfizer, I would encourage anyone under 40 who does not yet have an appointment for their first dose of vaccine to think carefully about whether it is right for them to delay."

Anyone in that age bracket who was booked in to have an AstraZeneca dose and wants to rebook for a Pfizer jab at a later date is asked to call 111.