COVID-19 vaccination for the public
Updated 14 January 2021
COVID-19 is caused by a new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2. It was first identified in late 2019. It is very infectious and can lead to severe respiratory disease.
Many people who are infected may not have any symptoms or only have mild symptoms. These commonly start with cough, fever, headache and loss of taste or smell.
Some people will feel very tired, have aching muscles, sore throat, diarrhoea and vomiting, fever and confusion. A small number of people then go on to have severe disease which may require hospitalisation or admission to intensive care.
Overall fewer than 1 in 100 people who are infected will die from COVID-19, but in those over 75 years of age this rises to 1 in 10.
There is no cure for COVID-19 although some newly tested treatments do help to reduce the risk of complications.
COVID-19 is spread through droplets breathed out from the nose or mouth, particularly when speaking or coughing. It can also be picked up by touching your eyes, nose and mouth after contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
In the UK and Isle of Man (IoM), there are two approved COVID-19 vaccines. They both require two doses to provide longer lasting protection. Both have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and have a good safety record.
After you have had the first dose you need to plan to attend your second appointment. You should have a record card and your next appointment should be between 3 and 12 weeks later.
It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection.
Isle of Man COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
The Department of Health and Social (DHSC) are leading the delivery for the Isle of Man’s COVID-19 vaccination programme which commenced on Monday 4 January 2021.
There are now three approved COVID-19 vaccines licensed for use within the UK and Isle of Man. These have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and have a good safety record.
The COVID-19 Vaccine is given as two separate doses, after receiving the first vaccine the second will be delivered around 3 to 12 weeks later.
The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to protect those who are at most risk from serious illness or death from COVID-19.
This includes older adults, frontline health and social care workers, care home residents and staff, and those with certain clinical conditions. When more vaccine becomes available, the vaccines will be offered to other people at risk as soon as possible.
Invitations are in the process of being sent out to the following priority groups:
- residents in care homes and staff who work there
- health and care workers.
- those aged over 80,
In the meantime please read:
COVID-19 Vaccination a guide for Older Adults (PDF, 1543KB)
PLEASE wait to be contacted:
The DHSC will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.
If you are not in any of the above groups, it's important that you don't contact the COVID 111 service, or other health services to ask about receiving this vaccination before it’s your turn. The reason for this is not to overload the health and social care services with enquiries for those that need to use them.
As the UK releases vaccine and trays are received 2 doses are set aside for those entitled to receive them. The DHSC are working with many health professionals to ensure that the correct legislation, licences, regulations, safety protocols and supporting health professionals are in place in order to deliver the COVID-19 to everyone in the Isle of Man.
The priority group order will be the same as that set out by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, 30 December 2020 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For an overview on COVID-19 Vaccines please see
When will I receive my vaccine?
The DHSC is in the process of sending out invitation letters to all of those residents aged over 80 years. These will be sent out in batches and you should expect to receive your letter in the next 10 working days. Initially we are requesting only those who can make their own way to the vaccination centre call 111 at this time, we will contact those that cannot shortly.
When you receive you letter, you will need to call the COVID 111 service to arrange your two vaccination appointments
You will also be asked on arrival to complete a consent form to receive this vaccine.
See: consent form (PDF, 214 KB)
From now until mid-March invitations will be sent out to following priority groups to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:
- residents in care homes and staff who work there
- health and care workers.
- those aged over 80,
Receiving the vaccine may help protect you from coronavirus, but it is still important to follow hand and respiratory hygiene advice to keep each other safe.
After you have had the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine you will need to plan for attending for your second appointment. You will be issued with a record card and your next appointment should be between 3 and 12 weeks after your first dose.
It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to give you the best protection.
If you are not in one of the above groups, please be patient and wait until you are invited to register for the vaccine.
Why do I have to wait?
By mid-March the DHSC aims to have delivered both doses to the following groups:
- residents in care homes and staff who work there
- health and care workers
- those aged over 80.
From March the programme will then be extended to these priority groups:
- those aged over 75 years
- those aged over 70 years
- adults on the IoM DHSC shielded patient list
- those aged over 65 years
- adults under 65 years with long term conditions
- those aged 50-64
This the biggest vaccination programme the island has seen and your patience and understanding as this programme is rolled out is appreciated.
Further details on waiting for your vaccine can be viewed in this information leaflet
'COVID-19 Vaccination: Why do I have to wait? DL (PDF, 994KB)
What to expect at my vaccination appointment
If you are invited to attend ‘Newlands’ to receive your vaccine this building is located behind Nobles Hospital Emergency Department drive past this entrance, continue straight ahead and turn into the next car park ahead of you, the old Ward 20 ‘Newlands’ building is on your left.
On arrival you will be asked to complete a Consent Form
You will be asked some questions
You will then be taken to a vaccinator to receive your vaccine
Your vaccine details and information will be logged and you will return again for your second vaccine in 3 to 12 weeks’ time.
An appointment card will be handed to you along with the patient information leaflet on the vaccine.
Further information on COVID-19 licensed vaccines:
Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2
Regulatory approval of Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Regulatory approval of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
Care Homes and Residential Homes
Separate vaccination teams are visiting these settings to deliver COVID-19 Vaccines to these priority groups.
What to expect after your vaccination?
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects.
Most of these are mild and short-term, and not everyone gets them. Even if you do have symptoms after the first dose, you still need to have the second dose. Although you may get some protection from the first dose, having the second dose will give you the best protection against the virus.
Very common side effects include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1-2 days after the vaccine
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- General aches, or mild flu like symptoms
Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection. You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help you feel better.
Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call your GP or Practice Nurse.
If you do seek advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them the vaccination card if possible) so that they can assess you properly. You can also report suspected side effects to vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme
For more details on this vaccine please read
Read ‘COVID-19 Vaccination: What to expect? DL (PDF, 993KB) for more information on side effects.
Or refer back to the COVID-19 Vaccination a guide for Older Adults (PDF, 1543KB)
All women of childbearing age, those currently pregnant or breastfeeding
All women of childbearing age, those currently pregnant or breastfeeding should please refer to the link below:
Your GP, Practice Nurse, Midwife or the Integrated Women, Children and families service can also provide further help.
Isle of Man Government - Integrated Women, Children and Families Service
Your Privacy
Department of Health and Social Care
Is committed to protecting your privacy and will only process personal confidential data in accordance with Data Protection Act 2018, the Data Protection (Application of GDPR) Order 2018, the Common Law Duty of Confidentiality and the Human Rights Act 2001.
For more details on how they do this visit the DHSC Privacy page.
Cabinet Office, Public Health Directorate
For details on how the Public Health Directorate, Cabinet office uses and protects your personal information view the Cabinet Office Privacy Notice
