Meet outside when possible

It’s safest to meet outdoors where fresh air dilutes the virus particles and can blow them away.

An infected person releases particles into the air by coughing, talking or simply breathing. The closer you are, the greater the risk will be of breathing in infected particles.

Outdoors, the risk of infection is significantly lower. If you need to meet inside, letting in fresh air can help disperse COVID-19 particles.

Find out how to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Don’t guess, take a test

Up to one in three people who have COVID-19 can spread the virus without knowing. This is because they have no symptoms.

It’s vital that we all keep taking regular rapid response LFT tests to find positive cases quickly to help stop the virus spreading in our community.

Free tests are available to collect from participating pharmacies across the Island or can be ordered online. Remember to record the result whether it’s positive or negative.

From 1 October you need a Collect Code to pick up test kits. You can still order test kits online without a collect code.

If you get a positive result or start to develop symptoms, isolate and book a PCR test.

Find out how to take a rapid response test

COVID-19 booster vaccine

The following people will be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccination:

• people aged 50 and over;
• people who live and work in care homes;
• frontline health and social care workers;
• people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19;
• people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19;
• people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis).

People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

On the Island you will be contacted by your GP when it is your turn to get the booster. Please remember; the booster will be offered at least six months after completion of the first course of vaccination.

If you are asked to book online but are only offered a mainland appointment, please wait and try again. New appointments are released daily and everyone in the above list will be able to get a booster dose.

Find out how to get vaccinated

COVID-19 vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds

Children aged 12-15 can get their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the in-school vaccination programme.

Get the information you need to make the right decision for your child on this website. It will also help you understand the consent process.

There is more information on this NHS website.

Find out more about how to get vaccinated

Latest Island COVID-19 and vaccine statistics

These are the latest published vaccination and COVID-19 stats for the Isle of Wight, from NHS England and Public Health England, respectively. Read the full report.

The graphic shows:

• 109,153 – The number of Island residents who have received their first dose of the vaccine.
• 101,601 – The number of Island residents who have received their second dose of the vaccine.
• 13,189 – The number of confirmed cases to date of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result since March 2020. This is based on the residential address of the person tested rather than where they are registered with a GP.
• 754 – The number of positive cases in the seven-day period.
• 529.9 – Weekly cases per 100,000. This is the number of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result in the seven-day period, divided by the total population of the total population of the Island.

Read the full COVID-19 report