Another 20,000 need to come forward for vaccine in the north of Wales ‘to return to normal life’

Jez Hemming, local democracy reporter

A health board wants almost 20,000 more people in the north of Wales need to accept two Covid jabs to “help us eventually return to normal life”.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board wants an extra 10,173 people aged between 30 and 39 and an additional 8,609 aged 18-29 to come forward and be vaccinated.

In its latest update the board said almost half a million residents of the health board area which covers the north of Wales have had a first dose of one of the Covid-19 jabs, and 338,018 have been fully vaccinated.

The aim is to get at least 75% of each category inoculated, with take-up of at least 80 per cent in all age groups above the age of 40.

However in the 30-39 age group only 62% have received a jab and 71% of those aged 18-29 have been vaccinated.

The health board said: “We want take up to be as high as possible, but are aiming for at least 75 per cent in each eligible age group, in order to achieve a level of community protection which will help us eventually return to normal life.

“In the coming week we will be writing to approximately 80,000 people who have not received a first dose.

“This will include those who have previously told us that they do not wish to be vaccinated.

“We hope that some of these people have changed their mind, because of the new threat posed by the Delta variant.”

Cathedral

The latest data shows a single jab reduces the chances of catching the virus and needing hospital treatment by around 75% and by around 90% after both doses of the vaccination.

There are still some misconceptions circulating on social media about the vaccine and many people still have some legitimate concerns about receiving the jab.

Three experts, from primary care, vaccination and anti-microbial pharmacy have agreed to be quizzed on some of these by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in a live streamed Q&A.

That will take place on North Wales Live’s Facebook page from 5:30pm today.

Meanwhile the programme of stepping down two out of the three Ysbytai Enfys/Rainbow Hospitals in North Wales has begun – the first being at Canolfan Brailsford, Bangor, on July 5.

From that date vaccination will begin at Bangor Cathedral, with clinics at Arfon Tennis Centre in Caernarfon also being scheduled for weekends and the summer holidays.

In the central area Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno will stop vaccinating and hand back to Venue Cymru on July 29.
Vaccination clinics will be held at the Optic Centre, St Asaph Business Park, from July 13 and at Sector House, Argyll Road in Llandudno, from the beginning of August.

Ad-hoc, drop in sessions may also be held at Sector House from July 19 onwards and will be announced over social media.

In the east Ysbyty Enfys Deeside Mass Vaccination Centre at Deeside Leisure Centre will operate until March 2022 to support the vaccine booster programme.

Pop-up vaccination clinics with large employers in Wrexham and Flintshire will also be held over the coming weeks.

If a minimum of eight weeks have passed since your first dose of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine, you can book a second dose appointment for the same brand vaccine using Betsi Cadwaladr’s online booking service.