'Final vaccine rollout plans based around clinical protocols'

The plans to be finalised for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout are based around clinical protocols and not the vaccine itself.

Health and Social Care Minister, David Ashford MHK, is looking to reassure residents about the vaccine programme which will start on January 4, 2021, after it'd been previously hoped it would begin yesterday.

It's whilst a number of legal issues and paperwork - which was only received from the UK in the last week - are completed.

The Minister says: "It is not sensible to start with so little margin in the immediate run up to Christmas Day, and we will not rush things during an already very busy period for our health services.

"I must reassure everyone the final details are focused on the roll-out clinical protocols amended from the UK to suit the Isle of Man, and not the vaccine itself. 

"Patient safety is about much more than the treatment or drug received - it spans the whole process of providing health services, involving practitioners and professionals at many levels."

Health and Care staff will be the first to receive the Pfizer-Biontech jab, followed by nursing home residents and the over-80s.

Newlands, the former Ward 20 at Noble's Hospital, has been reconfigured to receive healthcare staff for the vaccination.

Mr Ashford adds this will be used initially before the vaccine hub at the airport gets up and running once more jabs arrive on Island.