Island's Covid and flu vaccine programmes expected to be brought forward 

Manx Care to issue details

It's believed the Island's Covid-19 and flu vaccine programmes will start earlier than initially expected.

In a statement, Public Health says the announcement with all the details will be made 'shortly' by Manx Care.

It comes after England announced its autumn vaccine programme is being brought forward as a precaution against a new variant in the UK.

Scientists from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) first detected it in London on Friday 18 August.

According to the latest risk assessment, by the UKHSA, BA.2.86 has a high number of mutations and has appeared in several countries in individuals without travel history.