Manx Care has released a new report detailing the experiences of more than 160 people who shared concerns about health issues following COVID‑19 vaccination.
The report notes that many participants “experienced changes in their health which they associate with the period following COVID‑19 vaccination” and wanted the opportunity to explain what they had been through.
Others said “it was difficult to know where to go for support or that their concerns were not always fully understood”.
Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional wellbeing emerged as a major theme, with Manx Care recording that “emotional wellbeing and the ability to talk openly about concerns are very important”.
Participants also highlighted problems finding reliable information, saying that “information about reporting side effects or accessing further advice was not always easy to find”.
In response, Manx Care says it is taking several actions, including exploring “a referral pathway for people seeking help with possible vaccine‑related concerns” and considering “a dedicated point of contact to help people understand where to go for advice”.
The organisation is also reviewing patient information and consent materials, strengthening psychological support, developing peer‑support options, and improving staff training to ensure “consistent, compassionate responses”.
Understanding
Karen Maddox, Patient Experience and Involvement Lead, said the stories shared were deeply personal and would help shape improvements in communication and support.
She said the engagement “helps us understand where our services and communication can be improved, and how we can better support individuals navigating complex health concerns”.
Manx Care emphasised that the programme was designed to listen to lived experience, not to determine whether vaccination caused any health condition.
The report states clearly that “experiences reported following vaccination do not necessarily indicate that vaccination caused the health issue” and that national and international evidence continues to show COVID‑19 vaccines are safe and effective.
The full report is available here.
