First Covid-19 vaccine batch arrives on Island

The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines for the Island has arrived on Manx shores.

That's according to government which says the jabs were transported by courier to the Isle of Man and are now stored in a specialist medical freezer.

The first phase of the vaccination programme - which is expected to take eight weeks - will focus on health and care staff, care home residents and workers and the over-80's with government adding the planned timeline for roll-out is on track,

Vaccinators will visit care homes to give residents their jabs, while health and care staff will be vaccinated in their workplace, or be invited to attend Noble’s or Ramsey Cottage Hospital for their jab.

Meanwhile, officials have announced a vaccine hub is being set up at the Isle of Man Airport which residents will be invited to head to once priority groups are called later in the programme.

Health and Social Care Minister, David Ashford MHK, says: "The arrival of the first Covid vaccine in the Island is a landmark moment in our efforts to protect the population from the virus, but there are critical steps to take before we can start vaccinating people, and a large team of dedicated staff stands behind our front-line vaccinators making final preparations.

"Planning a mass vaccination programme is a huge challenge demanding a wide range of skills.

"We are driven by a collective aim to ensure our people receive the best possible service, and that the approach is suitable for the residents of the Isle of Man."