Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have announced that 500,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have now been given in in North Wales. The number includes a mixture of both first and second doses.

 

 

Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “Half a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across North Wales.

“This is a significant achievement and I would like to thank everyone involved in the programme for their hard work, as well as the general public for their patience and understanding.

“Having offered the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone over the age of 50, we have begun sending invitations to the remaining adult population.

“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has recommended that under-30s in the UK are offered an alternative Covid vaccine to the AstraZeneca jab.

“To ensure age groups within the remainder of the adult population receive the most clinically appropriate vaccines, we will be sending appointment invitations based on our delivery of vaccines from now until the end of July.

“This will mean that some people aged 18-29 may be offered vaccination earlier than some older individuals.”

Vaccination progress as at April 12th 2021:

  • 490,885 total vaccinations have been administered in North Wales
  • First dose vaccines – 358,470
  • Second dose vaccines – 132,415
  • Percentage of people in Priority Groups who have received a first dose:
  • Priority Group 5 (ages 65  to 69): 93%
  • Priority Group 6 (ages 16 to 64 in an at risk group): 83%
  • Priority Group 7 (ages 60 to 64): 86%
  • Priority Group 8 (ages 55-59): 82%
  • Priority Group 9 (ages 50-54): 79%

VACCINE CONCERNS

Patients that have concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are advised to still attend their appointment and concerns can be discussed with health care staff before you make a decision on whether or not to go ahead with vaccination.

If you receive an invitation for an appointment but are sure that you do not wish to be vaccinated then patients are asked to let the Health Board know, so they can offer that appointment to somebody else.

Vaccine invitations are sent out to everyone registered with the NHS, instead of asking individuals to take the initiative to book themselves, as it proves more effective and achieves high coverage.

IN PRIORITY GROUP 1-9 AND NOT RECEIVED AN INVITE?

BCUHB have contacted those in Priority Groups 1 to 9 to invite them for vaccination, but they are aware that a small number of people may have been missed, possibly because the contact information is incorrect.

Those who have not yet been able to take up an appointment are asked to complete an online form. They will then be sent an appointment letter in the post. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/covid-vaccination-50-and-over/

MODERNA VACCINE

The Moderna vaccine is in the very early stages of rollout across the UK. The first vaccines are expected to be available in North Wales from late June onwards.