The College is urging patience over the recent decision to prioritise the delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccine dose, and to delay the second dose to 12 weeks. We do so while acknowledging the anxieties and concerns of those affected by the change in schedule.
The reason behind the decision - which is strongly supported by the UK Chief Medical Officers and their deputies - is to protect as many people as possible from coronavirus, as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, according to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), giving priority to the delivery of the first vaccine is “highly likely” to have a greater public health impact in the short term, and could reduce the number of preventable deaths from COVID-19.
The College supports the position of the JCVI and the UK Chief Medical Officers on the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccines, based on the scientific evidence available and in the knowledge that data are being collected and will be reviewed regularly to ensure any approach is optimal for the circumstances.
We acknowledge that there is a very rapid spread of coronavirus across the UK, and we need to protect the largest number of people that we can, which can be achieved by prioritising the delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
In particular, we note data released by the COVID-19 Actuaries Response Group (attached below) which indicate that it will require 20 vaccinations to prevent one death in residents in a care home (or in older adults), rising to 160 vaccinations to prevent one death in those aged over 80. On the other end of the scale, it would take 47,000 vaccinations to prevent one death in groups outside the 9 priority groups outlined by the JCVI – in other words, the rest of the UK population (37m people). This indicates how vital it is to prioritise the most vulnerable groups and to vaccinate as many people in these groups, as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, delaying the second dose allows more healthcare workers and clinically extremely vulnerable people to be protected as soon as possible. The College has been reassured that supplies will be sufficient for the second dose of the vaccines within the 12 week window.
The College is also reasonably confident that data will become available to help establish the early impact of the vaccines on the transmission of coronavirus. This will be important in knowing to what extent the vaccines can help prevent people passing coronavirus onto others.
In the meantime, it is vital that even if people have had their first vaccine dose, they continue to follow COVID-19 public health advice, by continuing to wash their hands and hard surfaces regularly, wearing a facemask in enclosed spaces, keeping two metres distance where possible, avoiding crowds or gathering in groups, and self-isolating and booking a test if symptoms develop.
The scientific advice to support the decision to prioritise the delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccine dose can be read here.
