'Rocking' Success For Jersey's Pop Up Clinics

482 people got a first coronavirus vaccine dose at a pop-up clinic over the last fortnight.

The second week was more popular with 16 and 17-year-olds now eligible to get a vaccine.

Ross Barnes, Operations Lead for the Vaccination Programme commended the programme for successfully vaccinating a large amount of Islanders.

"The Rock Up campaign was very successful with a total of 482 first doses being administered. The Rock Up clinics saw Islanders from all priority groups, but the second week saw a large number of 16 and 17-year-olds as they became eligible for vaccination.

"I'd like to thank those Islanders and the vaccination team for all the support, we will now focus on facilitating appointments and walk in's at the Vaccination Centre." 

The 'Rock Up' clinics were launched after statistics showed a lower take-up rate amongst those aged 18-39, and were used to encourage Islanders to have their vaccinations at a suitable time and location for them. 

Locations for the clinics covered the entire Island, from the popular hub at Royal Square which administered 49% of the programme's doses, to Les Quennevais and La Mare car park in St Clement.

As coronavirus cases continue to fall in Jersey, after skyrocketing to 3000 cases in July, government officials are continuing to urge Islanders to visit the vaccination hub at Fort Regent in order to protect the community and prevent any further restrictions being imposed in the future.

The Deputy Medical Officer is also reassuring Islanders on the safety of vaccinations, after a rise in anti-vaccination and anti-restriction demonstrations being held in the Island.

Dr Ivan Muscat says vaccines have stood the test of time and proven to be safe and effective.

"It is estimated that in the UK, COVID vaccination has prevented something like 30,000 deaths and prevented some eight million infections.

"The safety of COVID vaccination is becoming more and more apparent as we go forward.

"The risk of severe side-effects is extremely low. Compared with the benefits of vaccination, you really have to go for vaccination."