Covid-19: Guernsey border staff 'priority' for vaccine

Border staff in Guernsey will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine as the island enters phase two of its vaccination roll out.

Letters are going out to those aged 44-49 as part of the programme.

However, the committee for health and social care agreed to prioritise staff "in key activities at the borders who have not already received the vaccine".

This was "appropriate as the island begins to ease restrictions at the borders", a States spokesperson said.

Deputy Al Brouard, president of the committee for health and social care, accepted there had been calls for other workers, such as teachers and police officers, to be prioritised.

But "having looked at it we can, quite simply, vaccinate these key staff groups quicker by progressing at speed through the already-defined age groups," he said.

Deputy Brouard added the vaccination programme had been a "success so far" and it was "hugely positive" to be on course to vaccinate all islanders over the age of 18 with both doses by the end of July.

According to States figures, 43% of those over 16 have had one dose and 11% have had two.

The majority of lockdown restrictions were lifted in the Bailiwick of Guernsey on 22 March.

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