Autumn booster vaccine campaign set to begin

The autumn booster campaign begins on the Isle of Man on Tuesday

Vulnerable adults, frontline workers and those over the age of 65 on the Isle of Man have been invited to take up the offer of a Covid autumn booster vaccination.

The programme is being rolled out in October in line with advice from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

Seasonal flu vaccines are being offered at the same time to offer "maximum protection over the winter months", Manx Care said.

Scheduled appointments will be given to those eligible, with adult care home residents and those who are most at risk receiving their vaccinations first.

The health care provider said anyone over 65, people under that age in clinical risk groups, residents in care homes for older adults and frontline health and social care workers would be offered both jabs.

The majority of the of this programme will be delivered by the vaccination team at the Private Patients Unit at Noble’s Hospital, with a limited number of appointments at sites situated in the north, south and west regions of the island on selected dates.

Appointments will be made to visit residents in care homes for older adults directly with the facilities.

Manx Care will contact people aged 65 years and over along with those in a clinical risk group with an appointment.

Those eligible can also book via an online booking system or by contacting the vaccination team.

The health care body has requested that frontline health and social care workers who would like to receive the jabs contact the team from 7 October to arrange an appointment.

People aged between 18 and 64 who live with an immunosuppressed individual and those who are the main carer of an older adult or a disabled person can also contact the team for a flu vaccine.