Wrexham’s local vaccination centre now operating six days a week – with those over 75 being contacted from this week

Wrexham’s Local Vaccination Centre (LVC) will now operate six days a week as the Covid-19 vaccine rollout gathers pace.

The facility, based at the Catrin Finch Centre on the Wrexham Glyndwr University campus, opened on Tuesday 26 January.

Initially open for three days a week, over 300 people were vaccinated last Thursday at the LVC.

However, with supplies becoming more readily available, the workforce will increase and the centre will now be open for six days.

The centre, which is currently administering the Pfizer vaccine, is complementing the work being done by every GP surgery in the town who are continuing to contact and vaccinate patients who fall within the top 4 priority groups.

So far 32,990 over 80s across the region have been vaccinated, along with over 4,000 care home residents, 8,755 care home workers and 20,414 healthcare workers.

From this week focus is shifting more towards the 75-79 cohort. Many from the 70-74 cohort will be undertaken at the Catrin Finch Centre.

Wrexham’s MS Lesley Griffiths visited the LVC last week with Mark Polin, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Lesley Griffiths MS said: “It was a pleasure to visit North Wales’ first Local Vaccination Centre at Glyndwr University and I thank Betsi Cadwaladr for arranging the visit at short notice.

“The Centre was busy, with a steady flow of people attending throughout the time I was there.

“It is important to stress people will be invited to the Local Vaccination Centre and no one should just turn up unannounced.

“I understand those waiting to hear about their vaccination will be anxious but the message from the Health Board is clear. If you are in the top 4 priority groups, you will be invited for vaccination by mid-February.

“The rollout is a monumental task and I am extremely grateful to all the NHS staff working incredibly hard to deliver the programme as swiftly and safely as possible.”

Vaccinations are by appointment only, with invitations to attend being sent using a range of mechanisms.

Appointments at the Vaccination Centres are posted out – with GP surgeries generally using telephone calls and text message to their patients.

The North Wales Health Board has built up capacity to deliver more vaccine and the Welsh Government has made it clear if it receives more vaccine from the UK Government, it has the capability to deliver more to the population.