WALES ON TRACK TO HIT JULY VACCINE TARGET:

A SURVEY has suggested that enthusiasm in the UK for the Astrazeneca vaccine has faded in the past month over concerns about possible rare side effects.

The survey of almost 5,000 people showed a significant increase in the proportion who said they want to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as possible, but also found that almost a quarter now believe the Astrazeneca vaccine causes blood clots, up from 13% last month.

Confidence in the vaccine has been dented by reports of possible links to very rare blood clots.

This is despite trials showing that the vaccine developed with Oxford University scientists is 76% effective at preventing symptomatic coronavirus.

More than a dozen European countries temporarily suspended its use after reports of blood clots combined with low platelets in a very small number of people who had received it. Many countries have resumed using the shot, but with some restrictions.

Bobby Duffy, director of King’s College London’s Policy Institute, which coled the study, said: “The blood clot scare has affected how some of the (UK) public view the Astrazeneca vaccine but has not reduced confidence in vaccines overall.

“In fact, the trend has been towards increased commitment to get vaccinated, and quickly, as the rollout has progressed so well, with no sign of serious widespread problems.”

But Dr Gill Richardson, who is in charge of the vaccination programme in Wales, said that a MORI poll showed that “vaccine hesitancy is lowest in Wales” compared to the other countries in the UK.

She told BBC Radio Wales yesterday: “We have seen really positive responses, even in the younger age groups. We are really encouraged that people are understanding the importance of receiving their vaccine.”

The UK survey was conducted between April 1 and 16 and covered 4,896 UK adults aged between 18 and 75.