A fifth of teenagers in Wrexham have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, figures show.

The UK Government called for teenagers to get their second jab ahead of their return to school after the Christmas break, in an effort to tackle the Omicron wave.

Figures from Public Health Wales show 1,615 people aged 16 and 17 in Wrexham had received two jabs by January 9 – at least 52% of the age group.

A further 486 12 to 15-year-olds had received two doses of a Covid vaccine by that date, equating to 6% of the age group.

It means 2,101 under-18s in Wrexham are double-jabbed – at least 19% of the age group, based on mid-2020 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

They are among 6,808 (63%) who had received a first dose by January 9.

John Jolly, chief executive at charity Parentkind, said while measures such as face coverings in schools and vaccines for under 18s were “inevitably polarising” among parents, their research showed the majority wanted their child’s educational experience to return to some form of normality.

He said: “Clearly, a challenge to that will come in reconciling the divide in parents’ views of the best way to achieve this, particularly when it comes to the role of protective measures against the spread of Covid.

“However ministers make decisions on updating their guidance, they must keep in mind the impact on parents and on family life that their policies will have.”

A Government spokesperson said getting children vaccinated was helping to keep schools open for face-to-face lessons.

They added: “The scientific evidence is clear, vaccines are the best way to protect young people and their friends and family from Omicron."

NHS vaccination programme lead for 12 to 15-year-olds, Nick Hulme, said: “The booster has been proven to give substantial levels of protection against Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant, so it is vital that our youngest and most at-risk get their top-up dose of protection as soon as possible.

“As soon as you receive the invitation from your local NHS team or GP, please do take up the offer and bring your child forward for their all-important protection as soon as you can.”