North Wales coronavirus vaccination programme hailed a success as almost 185,000 people receive first dose

The North Wales COVID-19 vaccination programme has been hailed a success as new figures show almost 185,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine in the region.

Last week, the Welsh Government announced that Wales had become the first UK nation to have offered a coronavirus vaccine to the top four priority groups.

This includes care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care workers; people who are extremely clinically vulnerable and all those over 70 years of age.

Yesterday, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board released performance data which highlights the ongoing success of its largest ever vaccination programme.

Up until Sunday (14^th February), the North Wales health board had provided a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 184,923 people, with 41,548 receiving vaccination last week.

All those in the priority groups 1-4 have been offered the vaccine, in line with the Welsh Government milestone, with 159,6212 having already received their jab, and others booked in over the coming days.

The health board has also made a positive start to vaccinating the next priority groups, with over a third of people aged 65-69 receiving their first dose of the vaccine.

Gill Harris, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, who is leading the vaccination programme, said its rollout offers hope for the future amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.

She said: “After such a difficult year, the success of the North Wales vaccination programme offers us hope that better months lie ahead, as we aim to return to some sort of normality.

“This is the biggest vaccination programme we have ever undertaken – it is a huge task and an enormous amount of work is going on to make it a success. Our sincere thanks go to everyone involved in making this happen.

“Recent weeks have seen an incredible mobilisation of colleagues across north Wales to establish Mass Vaccination Centres, Local Vaccination Centres and vaccination clinics at GP practices, with other primary care colleagues including community pharmacies and optometrists also set to play an increasingly crucial role in the coming weeks.”

Attention has now turned to administering second doses and vaccination to people over the age of 65.

However, Ms Harris has reiterated the health board’s commitment to ensure that anybody in priority groups 1-4 who want the COVID-19 vaccine and haven’t yet been able to attend an appointment, aren’t left behind.

She said: “We have undertaken widespread public appeals using digital channels, radio, media and community networks to ensure anyone who has not received an invite – for example those not registered with a GP so not our systems – is offered one.

“Not everyone will have taken this up for various reasons; they’ve had COVID within the last 28 days, or been ill for other reasons, they’ve had a different vaccination within the last 7 days, or they may not want to have a vaccine at this time.

“The door is always open for anyone who has changed their mind and we are committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind.

“If someone thinks they are in the top priority cohorts (over 70, clinically extremely vulnerable or a frontline health or social care worker) and they haven’t yet received an appointment, they should contact our COVID-19 Vaccination Booking Centre directly on 03000 840004.

“The opening hours are 8am to 8pm, seven days per week and lines can be extremely busy, so please bear with us.”

For further information on the North Wales COVID-19 Vaccination Programme please visit: COVID-19 Vaccination Information – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)