The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises on the order of priority to make sure the vaccine gets to those who are most at risk in the first phase of a mass rollout.
In its latest advice on priority groups for Covid-19 vaccination, the JCVI suggest the best option for preventing the morbidity and saving the life of our loved ones is to directly support on a largely age-based given the current epidemiological situation in the UK.
The UK is the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for Coronavirus.
Elderly residents in care homes are first in line on the priority list; health and social care workers, such as caregivers are also top of the list.
The priority list also includes shielding patients who are clinically considered as extremely vulnerable.
Below is the full vaccine priority list as adviced by JCVI.
Source: JCVI | Vaccine priority list
These groups cover 99% of preventable mortality from COVID-19, according to the JCVI advice document.
The JCVI also highlighted two groups which will not get the vaccine in the same document.
Women who may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy within three months are advised to not get their first dose.
Children are only advised to the vaccine if they are at ‘very high risk of exposure and serious outcomes’. For example, a child who is in a serious condition that requires residential care.
With its uplifting message that the vaccine procures, its impact in changing the existing social order remains unsure and needs further guidance from the government.
London is now in TIER 2 for the new restrictions after lockdown.
More on COVID-19 vaccine:
- Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V: everything you need to know about Covid 19 vaccines
- Oxford vaccine shows 70% protection against Covid-19
More on the new TIER system:
- From Tier to lockdown, from lockdown back to Tier
- Dos and Don’ts of the new Tier 2 COVID restrictions for university students in London
- London faces Tier 2 restrictions after lockdown ends
Words by: Yuan Luo | Subbing: Gabriela Jimenez