By Lesley Griffiths, MS for Wrexham

The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine continues to gather pace in Wrexham and across North Wales. I am receiving regular updates and met with the Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) last week.

The North Wales Health Board remains confident it is on track to reach the target set by Welsh Government by the middle of this month. This means all those in the top four priority groups (all frontline health and care workers; everyone living and working in care homes; everyone over 70 and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals), will be vaccinated by mid-February. This equates to roughly 183,000 people across North Wales.

As of last Wednesday, over 312,000 people had received the vaccine in Wales. Despite the challenges created by the weather, this meant over 136,000 people received their vaccine in the week from January 20-27.

The rollout is taking place thanks to a variety of different services, from Mass Vaccination Centres and GP surgeries, to mobile units and Local Vaccination Centres.

North Wales' first Local Vaccination Centre (LVC) opened in Wrexham last Tuesday at Glyndwr University's Catrin Finch Centre. I had the pleasure of visiting the centre last week along with BCUHB Chair, Mark Polin. The centre will complement the work being done by every GP surgery in the town that is continuing to contact and vaccinate patients who fall within the top priority groups.

Wrexham's LVC will be open three days a week initially but will be able to open for longer if more vaccine can be supplied. The Welsh Government has made it clear if it received more vaccine from the UK Government, it has the capacity to deliver more to the population.

It's important to stress people will be invited to the Local Vaccination Centre and no one should just turn up unannounced.

The rollout is a monumental task and I am extremely grateful to all the NHS staff working incredibly hard to deliver the programme as swiftly and safely as possible.

In the meantime, the virus remains highly transmissible and people must continue to stay home and follow the rules in order to help keep Wrexham and Wales safe.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and following government advice, I am still unable to meet constituents face-to-face. I am, however, holding regular virtual advice surgeries and my next one is taking place this Friday (February 5). If you are a constituent and believe there is something I could help you with, please get in touch and we can arrange an appointment.