The island is now following the latest advice from the UK’s JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation), issued yesterday (May 7), which recommends that, where available, an alternative to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to those aged between 30 and 39 who do not have an underlying health condition and where the offer of an alternative does not cause a ‘substantial delay’ in someone being vaccinated.

The JCVI’s updated advice follows a further review by the UK’s MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) on ‘extremely rare and unlikely to occur’ blood clots and low platelet count following the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Previously an initial review in April saw revised guidance issued advising that, as a precaution, it was preferable for those aged under 30, who do not have an underlying health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, to be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine where available.

This was because the rare side effects were more common in younger people.

The government said that anyone aged between 30 and 39 who has an appointment to receive their first dose of AstraZeneca and wishes to wait to rebook for Pfizer at a later date should contact 111.