Vaccine centre remains closed
CWM Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that the mass vaccination centre in Abercynon will not reopen after it was closed on Monday. Three other centres will close for a fortnight due to a fall in Covid vaccine supply.
CWM Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that the mass vaccination centre in Abercynon will not reopen after it was closed on Monday.
Three other centres will close for a fortnight due to a fall in supply of the coronavirus vaccine.
It has been confirmed that the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) in Merthyr Tydfil closed last week and was to be followed by the Ystrad Rhondda and Bridgend centres closing on Sunday, February 14.
Officials are expecting fewer doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine before deliveries return to recent levels from the beginning of March. There are also issues with the supply of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
During this two-week “pause”, Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB said it will be looking at the locations of its CVCs to ensure they are in the best locations for residents.
The health board’s intention is to open seven CVCs throughout the region.
It is understood that nearly all vaccine supplies for the next two weeks will go to GP practices based in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB area.
Clare Williams, executive director of planning and performance at the health board, said the teams of vaccinators, staff and volunteers had done “an incredible job” in vaccinating health and social care workers and those aged 70-74.
She said both of these groups are “now nearly complete”.
It was confirmed that Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre will be kept open and Aberfan Leisure Centre will also be turned into a CVC by the end of March.
In Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Ystrad Rhondda venue will be retained while new venues are opened at Llantrisant Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls in Mountain Ash. The Abercynon CVC will not reopen.
In Bridgend county, the Ravens Court site will be retained and another CVC added at Maesteg Leisure Centre.
“For those who have received their first dose vaccine at one of our CVCs and already have an appointment for their second dose, please be assured CVCs will reopen at the start of March,” added Ms Williams.
The Welsh Government said the reduction in vaccine supply was “planned and expected” and will affect the whole of the UK.
While most vaccination centres will not close across Wales, opening days and times of facilities are expected to reduce during that time.
A spokesman said: “Over the next couple of weeks we are expecting a slight reduction in the amount of vaccines we will receive from the UK Government.
“We have factored this into our plans and it will not affect people’s appointments or delay when people are due to get their second dose. The supply of vaccines is expected to ramp up significantly from the beginning of March.”