Covid-19 Coronavirus

About the COVID-19 vaccination

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against COVID-19.

Children aged six months to four years old who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 can currently get a COVID-19 vaccine.

You may be able to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine in autumn 2023 if you're at increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. For example, this may be due to a health condition or your age. Manx Care will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible.

If you develop a new health condition or start treatment that severely weakens your immune system, your specialist may advise you to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner. Speak to your specialist for more information.

The Autumn 2023 programme commenced on Monday 11 September 2023. The following groups will be offered a COVID-19 vaccine in the Autumn 2023 programme:

  • residents in a care home for older adults
  • all adults aged 65 years and over
  • persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical at risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book.
  • persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts (as defined in the Green Book) of people with immunosuppression
  • persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the Green Book) and staff working in care homes for older adults

Find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can opt in or opt out of the vaccination programme.

Types of COVID-19 vaccine

There are several different COVID-19 vaccines in use. They have all met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

Most people can have any of the COVID-19 vaccines and will be offered a vaccine that gives protection from more than one type of COVID-19.

You cannot choose which vaccine you have.

Some people are only offered certain vaccines, for example:

  • if you're pregnant
  • if you're under 18 years old
  • if you're 75 years old or over
  • in very rare cases if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to one of the common vaccines you may be referred to a specialist clinic for an alternative COVID-19 vaccine
  • Children under 12 years old will be given smaller doses than older children and adults.

COVID-19 vaccines efficacy

If you're at increased risk of severe COVID-19, getting a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others. Research has shown the vaccine helps:

  • reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
  • reduce your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19
  • protect against different strains (variants) of COVID-19

Seasonal vaccines are offered because protection fades over time.

A vaccine helps give you good protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch COVID-19.

There is a chance you might still get or spread COVID-19 even if you have a vaccine, so it's important to follow advice about how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 accines and side effects

The COVID-19 vaccines can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccines

The Sanofi and GSK (VidPrevtyn Beta) COVID-19 vaccine contains an oil derived from sharks.

The other COVID-19 vaccines offered by the NHS do not contain animal products, including egg.

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK, including their ingredients:

Read the guide to the use of human and animal products in vaccine on GOV.UK

You can opt in or opt out of the vaccination programme.

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