Why booster rollout in Swansea Bay is taking longer than expected
SWANSEA Bay University Health Board has explained why the wait has been longer for many to receive their coronavirus booster jab vaccinations than the speedy rollout of the first and second doses earlier this year.
People aged 50 and over, those who live and work in care homes, frontline health and social care workers, and people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill, are all eligible to receive the third dose of the vaccination.
While some received their boosters early, others still find themselves waiting to receive theirs.
The health board has now addressed the reasons why in a question-andanswer session.
Why is the rollout of boosters slower than the rollout of first and second doses earlier this year?
The health board says: “We are working as hard as we can to deliver the booster programme as quickly and safely as possible. However, there are a number of differences between this stage of the vaccination programme and the first and second doses, also known as phases one and two.
“First and second doses were given by both the health board and all 49 GP practices across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot at the same time. This allowed us to get through more people quicker, and different priority groups were vaccinated in tandem. Four pharmacies also gave Covid vaccinations, as did the Immbulance mobile vaccination clinic. GP practices provided staff to vaccinate in care homes and those patients who are housebound.
“But these first and second doses were given earlier in the year, when GPS were able to help. Now, however, we are in the autumn and this time most GP surgeries in our health board area are unable to help with Covid-19 boosters because not only are they are very busy delivering their core services, but they are now giving seasonal flu vaccinations.
“What’s more, they have to give even more flu vaccinations that usual, because a larger number of people are eligible to have them this year. (GPS had been in a position to help with the initial two Covid-19 vaccination doses because when they started in December/january, last winter’s flu vaccinations were largely completed.)
“In phase one and two of the programme (first and second doses) a number of services within the health board paused their usual work. This meant staff were available to help with the Covid vaccination programme instead, eg school nurses. Swansea Bay HB and other parts of the NHS in Wales were also supported by the military.
“But in phase three (boosters) these extra pairs of hands are no longer available. The military and school nurses have returned to their usual roles, with school nurses tied up giving flu vaccinations to around 62,000 school pupils in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.
“This, together with Covid-related and other sickness, has meant we haven’t had as many staff as we would like. However, we have recruited extra staff and continue to do so. (All health boards are also recruiting staff to their vaccination programmes.)
“Following feedback from the public, the oldest members of the community are not now being scheduled for afterdark appointments at our mass vaccination centres. This has also had some impact on appointment availability.
“We accept that some of the oldest and most frail members of the community have waited longer for their booster than others who are younger.
“We felt it wasn’t appropriate to ask them to travel to busy mass vaccination centres – where we are delivering the bulk of our boosters – preferring to offer them a service closer to their homes, and in smaller settings.
“We are pleased to say we can now offer them appointments at local vaccination centres in community settings. The new local vaccination centres (LVCS) are converted shipping containers placed in community hubs such as rugby clubs. Also, from Monday, November 8, local pharmacies are available for booster appointments.”
Why have some people had to wait longer for their booster?
The health board says: “Booster appointments are being given in chronological order at least six months after the date the second dose was given, not from oldest to youngest. Please note that six months is simply the minimum qualifying gap between the second dose and the booster, and it does not mean that receiving a later appointment means you are ‘overdue.’
“During the spring and summer months the health board and GP surgeries were administering second doses in tandem. However, the health board – because of its mass vaccination centres – was rolling out second doses at a slightly quicker rate than GPS. Booster appointments are linked to when you had your second dose, and that’s why you may have heard of some younger people getting their boosters ahead of those who are older. They had their second dose earlier, so have become eligible for their booster sooner.
“We’ve also held off sending the most elderly and frail members of our community to our busy MVCS for boosters. It’s not always easy to travel to them and we knew we would soon be able to offer boosters at both our local vaccination centres and pharmacies, which are less crowded and much closer to home.”
I’ve waited more than six months and am worried I’ve been missed. Shall I call the booking line?
The health board says: “It’s unlikely you’ve been missed, so please don’t call the booking line unless absolutely necessary.
“Six months after your second dose is the threshold at which you become eligible for a booster, not an absolute date the booster must be given by.
“Immunity from the first two doses will remain at a good level, although protection does reduce slightly over time, which is why the booster programme is in place.”
Do I have the flu or Covid vaccine first?
The health board says: “If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine and also a Covid vaccine, including the booster, it does not matter which you have first.
“Although they can be given together, most people in Wales will not be offered these at the same time, so please don’t delay either of them.”
How many boosters have been given so far and how many are you giving every day?
The health board says: “As of Friday, November 5, more than 50,000 people (50,743 to be exact) across the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas, including the vast majority of care home residents, have received a booster dose.
“That’s 27% of all boosters that need to be given in this health board area to more than 185,000 people.
“Boosters are being given at a rate of around 2,000 per day. This exceeds 2,000 on some days.”