After Manx Care revealed that of 680 appointments booked for Monday last week, 187 didn’t turn up to get their booster vaccine, we asked the public if they had or would get the Covid-19 booster vaccination.

Brian and Rae Blair, both over 65 and from Glen Vine, said they had no issue with taking up the Covid-19 booster.

Mr Blair, who has had the booster, said: ’Are they educated enough on the booster? Government may want to look at the education side of it and let people know more of the ins and outs of it.

’People are getting far too blasé over here, especially when you go across and see everyone wearing masks.’

Mrs Blair, who is about to have the booster, added: ’Initially I was concerned about AstraZeneca but they explained it was fine, plus I want to travel.

’There is a bit of a concern among people about what information they’re getting so maybe the government needs to come back out and assure everybody.

’There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered so maybe it’s time for the new minister Mr Hooper to give answers.

’It’s all about education. You have to understand what the risk is and what the actual benefits of getting the vaccination are because once I was aware of that, I was happy.’

Ruth and Michael Callin, of Peel, were keen to keep updated on all the vaccines.

Mr Callin, 77, said: ’We’ll take anything that’s going. People are getting offered dates and they’ve got no come back if it doesn’t suit them and sometimes the post comes late or maybe it’s after the appointment that they get the notification, so you can’t do much about it. The 111 setup doesn’t seem to be as good as the first time around.’

Mrs Callin, 75, has had two jabs and is waiting on her booster, found the process confusing. She said: ’When I rang 111 to book an appointment, there were so many options and it was very confusing. I think it’s so difficult, there are so many options - none of them seemed to fit what I wanted to do.’

Mr Callin, who has had all three vaccinations, continued: ’It all seems rather odd because everyone seems anxious to get their boosters and get out and about again.’

Victoria and Mark Dolman, from Onchan, are both waiting to have the booster but are happy to get it.

Mrs Dolman, 52, said: ’Everyone’s keen to get it because they want to get on with life.’

Mr Dolman, 59, added: ’I think people need to be reminded [we’re still in a pandemic] because the figures are actually getting worse and it’s all hidden. It’s like the problem’s gone away, we’ve forgotten about it.’

Mrs Dolman suggested people weren’t turning up because they didn’t want to travel, saying: ’Maybe then you wouldn’t bother. With the new government, I haven’t heard anything personally and we were used to constant updates.’

Leslie and Celia King, both 85 from Ramsey, were up to date on their vaccinations.

’Better safe than sorry,’ said Mrs King.

Mr King continued: ’If we don’t have it and we’re ill, we’re dead. As it is now, if we get it, with any luck we’ll come out of it because we’ve got some immunity to it. Wherever you go, you’ve got it. I can’t understand why people don’t do it.

’It comes across on the radio, on the television, general conversation. All of our friends have had it done but then again most of our friends over here are around about our age.’