Eligible adults in Wales are being invited for their autumn Covid booster vaccine. The roll-out will begin at the start of September to improve the immunity of those at higher risk from the virus. A single dose of the vaccine will be offered to:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- Staff in care homes for older adults
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All adults aged 50 years and over
- People aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group
- People aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- People aged 16-49 who are carers.
In line with advice from the UK's joint committee on vaccination, eligible adults aged 18 and above will initially be offered the Moderna vaccine which protects from both the original Covid virus and the Omicron variant. Those eligible aged under 18 will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Both vaccines will be offered at least three months after a previous dose.
Eligible adults will mostly be invited via letter to attend a vaccination centre, GP or pharmacy for their jab. Wales Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “As the UK moves from a period of pandemic emergency response to recovery, our focus will be on protecting those in society who continue to be more at risk of severe Covid-19.
“Vaccines have had an enormous impact on the course of the pandemic and have helped to weaken the link between the virus, serious illness, hospitalisations and death. They have saved countless lives and given us the freedom and confidence to restart our lives. I urge anyone who is eligible and invited to have the autumn booster this year to take up the offer and I thank everyone working on the vaccination programme in Wales.”
The Welsh Government says its health boards should co-administer the Covid and flu vaccination where possible — for example for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — to maximise take-up. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has opened two new vaccination centres at Glanrhyd Hospital on Tondu Road and Maesteg Community Hospital on Neath Road ahead of the roll-out. The health board has closed its temporary vaccination centre at Ravens Court.
UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Vaccines remain our best defence against Covid, and this safe and effective vaccine will broaden immunity and potentially improve protections against some variants as we learn to live with this virus. Our vaccine rollout to date has been world leading. It has already saved countless lives and reduced the pressure on the NHS. We will begin to contact those eligible from early September, and I would urge people to come forward as soon as they are invited so together we can keep each safe and protect our NHS.”
The Welsh Government says it continues to recommend everyone keeps themselves and Wales safe by:
- Getting vaccinated
- Maintaining good hand hygiene
- Staying at home and limiting contact with others if you are ill
- Wearing a face covering in indoor crowded or enclosed places
- Meeting others outdoors wherever possible
- When indoors, increase ventilation and let fresh air in.
To find out more about accessing vaccines visit the Public Health Wales website. You can read the latest coronavirus news here.
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