Younger age groups are getting the jab

THE vaccination rollout in Wales is now moving quickly into younger age groups, with more than half of people aged 40 to 49 having had a jab and more than a quarter of 30 to 39-year-olds.

However, there is a significant difference in the vaccination rates across Wales, with the most effective local health board – Powys – having given out a third more doses of a vaccine than the least effective health board, Cardiff.

Nearly two thirds of the entire population of Powys (65%) have had a Covid jab while fewer than half (44%) of people in Cardiff and the Vale have had a jab.

The detailed vaccination update published by Public Health Wales yesterday showed that 51.6% of 40 to 49-year-olds have received their first dose of the vaccine in Wales, while 12.3% of the same age group have received a second dose.

The data includes vaccines recorded electronically up to 10pm the day before, and show 26.1% of 30 to 39-year-olds have been given their first dose, while a further 10% have received their second.

Over the last week, many health boards have opened up reserve lists for younger age groups as concerns have been raised that there will be more no-shows as the rollout reaches younger age groups.

Yesterday, Public Health Wales published the latest weekly data on the rollout of the vaccine for the week up to Sunday, April 11.

As of April 11, a total of 2,120,647 doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered in Wales.

Of the 2,120,657 doses given, 1,588,499 were first doses and 532,148 were second doses.

While Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board leads the way with the highest number of first doses administered with 35,6759, Powys Teaching Health Board has the highest rate of administration with 63,628 per 100,000 people.