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Holiday makers urged to check destination Covid rules

Manx Care says requirements may differ

Holiday makers from the Isle of Man are being urged to check the Covid rules for their destination.

Manx Care says some places will need to see proof of vaccination, while others might require a negative PCR.

The Covid-19 primary vaccinations and boosters are still available to relevant groups, with the latest information about where to access them available on Manx Care's social media feeds.

They say the schedule for the autumn vaccine booster will be announced as soon as further instruction is given by the JCVI which advises health departments on immunisation.

With a large percentage of the Island’s population being offered this vaccination, Manx Care says the logistics of the campaign are being worked on.

These groups will also be offered the seasonal flu vaccine.

Members of the public are being asked not to contact 111 at the moment to try to book either an autumn vaccination of a flu vaccination, but to wait until further details are announced.

All Island residents aged 50 and over, along with individuals in further at-risk groups, will be among those offered a Covid-19 Autumn booster and a seasonal flu jab ahead of winter.

Manx Care says both the autumn booster and flu jab will strengthen the immunity of those more susceptible to respiratory viruses and aims to keep more people out of hospital, especially during the colder season when viruses are spread more easily and health services are strained.

The booster announcement follows advice from UK’s Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunisation and covers those listed below:

  • Residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • All adults aged 50 and over
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression 
  • Those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers.

This year the flu vaccination rollout will again be extended to all adults aged 50 and over, pre-school and primary school children and those in secondary school years seven to nine, as well as those in clinical at-risk groups.

Full information on who is eligible for a vaccine and when to get one is available on the COVID website. 

Who was offered an extra spring booster?

A second booster was offered to:

  • adults aged 75 and over
  • residents in care homes for older adults
  • those aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems

You can book an appointment online three months (91 days) after your previous dose, but the NHS recommends a six-month gap.

People who have a severely weakened immune system are offered an additional (third) primary dose before their booster.

How long after Covid can I have a booster?

You should wait four weeks after a positive test, even if you have no symptoms.

Under-18s who aren't at high risk from Covid should wait 12 weeks.

You shouldn't have the booster if you have a severe illness or high fever.

However, Pfizer and Moderna say you don't need to delay for a mild fever or a cold.

The vaccines don't infect you with Covid and cannot cause positive results on a lateral flow or PCR test.

Which children can get jabbed?

All five to 11-year-olds in the UK can have two doses of a reduced-strength Covid vaccine, 12 weeks apart.

In addition:

  • all 12 to 15-year-olds are offered two doses of Pfizer
  • all 16 and 17-year-olds can have a booster, three months after their second jab
  • 12 to 15-year-olds in an at-risk group, or who live with someone with a weakened immune system, can have a booster

How do I book my Covid vaccine?

You can book by calling 111 or go to a walk in clinic, details of which can be found at https://covid19.gov.im/vaccination/end-of-spring-booster-programme-walk-in-clinics-available/

Carers of five to eleven years olds should call 111 to book an appointment.

What vaccine will I get?

First and second doses are either Pfizer (Comirnaty) or Moderna (Spikevax).

Boosters are a single dose of either Pfizer or Moderna - regardless of which vaccine you received previously.

However, if you cannot have Pfizer or Moderna for specific medical reasons, you can have a booster dose of AstraZeneca.

Two other vaccines have also been approved for use in the UK - Janssen and Novavax, but these haven't yet been given to UK patients.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects include a sore arm, headache, chills, fatigue and nausea.

These tend to resolve within a day or two.

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