‘Significant number’ in Wales will get second doses next week due to ‘pace’ of vaccination programme

A “significant number” of people in Wales will start to receive their second vaccine doses next week due to the “pace” of the vaccine rollout, the First Minister has said.

Over a quarter of adults in Wales have now had their first vaccination and the country remains ahead of others in the UK in terms of the total percentage of the population vaccinated.

“Another phenomenal performance by our fantastic vaccination teams today,” Mark Drakeford said. “Over a quarter of adults in Wales have now had their first vaccination – the highest of any nation in the UK.

“Thanks to the pace of our rollout, a significant number of second doses are scheduled for next week. Some people will now get their second dose earlier than planned, and everyone will be offered a second dose within 12 weeks.”

Another phenomenal performance by our fantastic vaccination teams today. Over a quarter of adults in Wales have now had their first vaccination – the highest of any nation in the UK. pic.twitter.com/mliU6iGcSP

— Mark Drakeford (@fmwales) February 11, 2021

Today Scotland overtook Wales in terms of of the rolling seven day rate of total vaccinations given against Covid-19 per population. Northern Ireland came in third and England last.

However Wales remains ahead for total adult population vaccinated, with 27.12% vaccinated.

England has vaccinated 25.82%, Scotland 23.65%, and Northern Ireland 22.96%.

UPDATE: #Scotland now leads the UK nations in terms of of the rolling rate of *total* vaccinations given against #COVID19 per population.

Their vaccination programme has really picked up speed per head over the last few days!

This is how the UK looks for rollout ‘speed’ 👇 pic.twitter.com/vJcr350Gel

— Peter Gillibrand (@GillibrandPeter) February 11, 2021

Yesterday NHS Wales Chief Executive Dr Andrew Goodall said they were “on track” to have the four priority groups vaccinated by this weekend.

He told reporters: “We will always have some limitations on supply as we need to align across the whole of the UK. We work very constructively and openly with UK Government to maintain those supplies.

“Our intention is to match supply that is available to us, and to maintain that along with the second dose of the vaccine, in line with the guidance that has been issued.

“What we also hope to see is an increase in the activity that we have seen over the past three weeks in Wales. What we have to do is maintain our progress into the second group.”