THE Covid-19 vaccine booster campaign will begin next month, the Betsi Cadwaladr health board confirmed.

Gill Harris, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery confirmed that as of August 3, almost 85 per cent of eligible adults in North Wales have either been fully vaccinated, or are booked in for their second dose in the coming weeks.

More than three quarters of people aged between 18-39 have had a first dose of the vaccine, and the health board is working ‘very hard’ to encourage further uptake among this group.

She said: “Having both jabs reduces your chances of hospitalisation with COVID-19 by over 90 per cent, while protecting you from the debilitating effects of long-COVID.

“Proof of vaccination is increasingly likely to be required to travel on holiday abroad and attend nightclubs, large festivals, concerts and sporting events – particularly over the border in England.

“If you have any concerns about receiving the vaccine, please book an appointment online, or attend one of our walk-in clinics. We will take the time to discuss any concerns you have, so you can make an informed decision about whether to go ahead.

“You can also find trusted, up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine on the Public Health Wales website.”

COVID-19 vaccine booster programme

Along with the rest of NHS Wales, North Wales has been undertaking detailed planning for a COVID-19 booster campaign, which will begin in September.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine should be given to those who are most vulnerable to serious infection, as there is a likelihood that the immunity provided from having two doses could reduce over time.

Based on the JCVI’s interim advice, we are planning to offer a booster dose to the following groups of people, as part of a two-stage process:

Stage 1:

• Adults aged 16 and over who are immunosuppressed

• Those living in residential care homes for older adults

• All adults aged 70 years or over

• Adults aged 16 years and over who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable

• Frontline health and social care workers

Stage 2:

• All adults aged 50 years and over

• Adults aged 16-49 year who are in an influenza or COVID-19 at-risk group

• Adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals

Gill added: “There is no need for people in these groups to contact us. We will contact those that are eligible when it is their turn.

“In order to roll the COVID-19 vaccine booster programme out as quickly and efficiently as possible, we are currently planning where operationally possible for boosters to be administered through a combination of Vaccination Centres, GP surgeries and Community Pharmacies.

“This is similar to the delivery model used during the initial programme. This mixed approach, which utilises the expertise of our primary care partners, is essential, given the rural nature of many of the communities we serve.”

Vaccination Clinics

It’s quick and easy to book a first or second dose jab at a convenient date, time and location using the online booking service.

If you cannot access the internet to book online, phone the COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Centre on 03000 840004. The lines can be very busy, so please be patient.

The following vaccination clinics also regularly accept walk-ins without an appointment, where supply allows:

  • Bangor Cathedral (LL57 1LH): 8.30am – 7pm every day apart from Wednesday and Sunday
  • Deeside Mass Vaccination Centre (CH5 1SA): 9am – 6pm Tuesday - Sunday
  • Catrin Finch Centre (Wrexham LL11 2HS): 9am – 6pm Tuesday - Sunday (excluding 03/08/21)
  • OpTic Centre (St Asaph Business Park LL17 0JD) 09:30am – 5:15pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

Over the next week, a number of additional clinics are being held. These will also accept walk-ins without an appointment, where supply allows.

Wrexham and Flintshire:

  • Holywell Community Hospital on August 7 from 8.30am to 3pm for ages 18-39 and 40 and over
  • Deeside Industrial Estate on August 10 from 12pm to 6pm for ages 18-39 and 40 and over

Gwynedd:

  • Maesgeirchen Community Centre, Bangor on August 4 at 10am-2pm for ages 18-39
  • Noddfa Community Centre, Caernarfon on August 4 at 10am-2pm for ages 18-39
  • Tywyn Health Centre on August 7 at 10am-2pm for ages 18-39
  • Caernarfon Tennis Centre on August 8 from 8.30am to 6.30pm for ages 40 and over
  • Ysbyty Alltwen on August 8 from 8.30am to 6.30pm for ages 18-39

Gill added: “Please note that new clinics are being arranged on a regular basis and the details listed above can sometimes change at short notice.

“Changes to existing clinics and details of additional clinics will be shared through our social media channels and those of our local authority partners.”