BY THE end of the week, more than half a million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will have been administered across North Wales.

In their latest vaccine update, on April 13, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) thanked everyone involved in the programme for their hard work as they reached such a "significant achievement".

The general public were also thanked for their patience and understanding.

Gill Harris, executive director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: "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 12 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 per cent
  • Priority Group 6 (ages 16 to 64 in an at risk group): 83 per cent
  • Priority Group 7 (ages 60 to 64): 86 per cent
  • Priority Group 8 (ages 55-59): 82 per cent
  • Priority Group 9 (ages 50-54): 79 per cent

Who BCUHB are currently vaccinating and how they will be contacted

This week the health board will provide vaccinations to the following groups, with invitations made by letter, text message and phone call:

  • People aged 65-69 years (Priority Group 5)
  • People aged 16-64 years with underlying health conditions (Priority Group 6)
  • People aged 60-64 years (Priority Group 7)
  • People aged 55-59 years (Priority Group 8)
  • People aged 50-54 years (Priority Group 9)
  • People aged 18-49 (Priority Group 10)
  • Second doses to those who have received their first vaccination up to 12 weeks ago
  • People in Priority Groups 1-4 who were not able to take up an appointment when they were originally invited

Anyone who has concerns about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine should still attend their appointment. A discussion will take place before the person makes their decision on whether or not to go ahead with vaccination.

Ms Harris added: "If you receive an invitation for an appointment but are sure that you do not wish to be vaccinated then please let us know so that we can offer that appointment to somebody else.

"We currently send out vaccine invitations 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?

Ms Harris said: "We have contacted those in Priority Groups 1 to 9 to invite them for vaccination, but we are aware that a small number of people may have been missed, possibly because the contact information that we have for them is incorrect.

"Those who have not yet been able to take up an appointment are asked to complete our online form. We will then send out an appointment letter in the post."

Rollout of the Moderna vaccine

"We welcome the news that the Moderna vaccine is in the very early stages of rollout across the UK," Ms Harris said.

"We expect to receive our first doses from late June onwards, and we look forward to deploying it in communities across North Wales as soon as we are able to."