Spring programme offers respiratory illness jabs

People more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses have been encouraged to take up the offer of a vaccination in Manx Care's spring programme.

Seasonal jabs for Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are being rolled out to those most at risk of serious illness.

Those most susceptible are older adults and people with a weakened immune system.

Manx Care said delivering both programmes "helps reduce serious illness and pressure on health services, particularly during periods of higher respiratory infection risk".

A spike in cases of respiratory illnesses led to a call for more take-up of the vaccines and a return to the wearing face masks in healthcare settings in December last year.

The healthcare provider said while the viruses often caused mild symptoms, they could lead to hospitalisation and complications in some cases.

Both vaccines are being made available to people over the age of 75 and older adults in care homes.

The Covid jab is also being offered to those older that six months who are immunosuppressed, while the RSV is available to pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect babies during their first months of life.

People eligible will be contacted to book an appointment, with pregnant woman given the details by their midwives, Manx Care said.

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