NUMBER OF FIRST JABS SET TO HIT 2,000,000
THE number of people receiving their first vaccine in Wales will hit the two million mark this weekend. Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford has described it as a “truly incredible achievement” in the six months since the first Covid vaccine became available.
It means Wales has one of the best vaccination rates in the world, and there is full confidence the target of having every eligible adult vaccinated by July 31 will be met.
Despite concerns over the Indian variant, rates of coronavirus remain very low in Wales, with the number of people in hospital with coronavirus at its lowest level since the start of the pandemic more than 15 months ago.
Mr Drakeford said: “It is all down to the dedication and the hard work of all the NHS staff, volunteers and military personnel working in clinics all over Wales.”
Here is the current situation in health boards across Wales:
ANEURIN BEVAN HEALTH BOARD
The board which covers the Gwent area says everyone aged 30 years and over should now have been invited for their vaccine.
If for any reason you have not received an invite, fill out an online form.
Latest figures show the health board has given a total of 514,091 vaccines (a combination of first and second doses) across the area they cover.
They are also asking that people to make sure details with your registered GP practice are up to date so invites are sent to the correct address.
The health board says the district nurses and rapid response teams have been working to deliver second dose vaccinations for patients who are housebound, and 46% of those have been vaccinated.
BETSI CADWALADR UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
The North Wales health board says more than three quarters of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, says: “We remain on course to offer vaccination to the remaining adult population before the end of July.”
Latest figures show that 640,259 total vaccinations have been administered, including 433,350 first dose vaccines, and 206,909 second dose vaccines.
Figures also show that 44% of people in the 18 to 29 age group have received a first dose.
The health board says it is continuing to see a high number of people failing to attend their appointments.
A spokeswoman said: “Vaccines are never thrown away because we are able to call people in at short notice, but each missed appointment wastes vital NHS resources and creates significant logistical challenges for our staff.
“While a small number of these missed appointments are a result of duplicate appointments, incorrect contact details or appointment letters arriving late, we know that in the vast majority of cases, it is because people have failed to notify us that they cannot attend, or do not wish to be vaccinated.”
CARDIFF AND VALE UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
The board say the latest figures they have show that 432,734 people have been vaccinated in the area.
They are working giving vaccines to groups 40 to 49, 30 to 39 and 18 to 29, with 47.7% of people in the youngest age group having had their first vaccine.
If you are in these age groups you will receive an appointment in the post and a text message to invite you for an appointment at one of the Mass Vaccination Centres.
If you are unable to attend your appointment, call 029 2184 1234 to cancel.
CWM TAF MORGANNWG UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
The latest figures show that the health board has delivered 390,768 doses, with 75% of people aged 40 and over vaccinated.
They are currently concentrating on vaccinating the remaining 40 to 49-year-olds, while also vaccinating people aged 30 and over. People aged 30 to 39 should be getting their invite within the next week.
GPs are continuing to give second-dose vaccines, and the reserve list has been opened up to everyone aged 18 and over for their first dose. To be eligible you need to be aged 18 to 49, must live in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area, must be able to attend an appointment possibly at short notice.
The health board has said it is concerned about the number of “no shows” as it is rising at the community vaccination centres.
A spokeswoman said: “The expansion of our reserve list will go some way to help us manage that. All we ask is that you share the message that it is extremely easy to cancel your vaccination appointment if you do not want it, or if you need to rearrange your appointment.”
HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
More than 2.8 million vaccines have been administered in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire residents, and more than 60% of the population has received a first vaccine dose, with 27% fully vaccinated.
Following the change of
advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine, all adults aged 18 to 29 in the area will be booked into the mass vaccination centres to receive either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The health board says the updated advice should not lead to a delay in our vaccine rollout.
If you are over 30 in the area and have not received your appointment you should complete an online request form or call 0300 303 8322.
POWYS TEACHING HEALTH BOARD
The health board has now delivered 144,900 vaccines, with 94% of people in the top nine priority groups having received their first dose.
If you are aged 30+ and have not yet received your invitation you can also use the health board’s Priority Access Forms. A reserve list is also open for people aged 18-29 and you may be called at short notice if an appointment becomes available. On second doses, the health board said if you received a first dose on or before March 7 and have not yet been invited for the second you should fill in a Priority Access Form to be fast-tracked.
SWANSEA BAY UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
The health board has begun the routine first dose scheduling of those aged 29 and under.
If you are aged 30+ and have not had your first dose yet you can contact the teams on 01792 200492 or 01639 862323, or email the booking team: sbu.covidbookingteam@wales.nhs.uk
People will be automatically recalled for the second dose of the Covid vaccine.
Last weekend, the health board organised an additional Pfizer vaccination clinic for the Bay Field Hospital after the Welsh Government recommended that all those under the age of 40 should be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and they filled all 1,800 slots from the reserve list, mainly with people under 30.
There will be another one today with around 3,500 appointments available.
Figures for the health board show that 241,190 first doses have been administered, and 99,635 second doses.