84% of all eligible adults in North Wales have received at least one coronavirus vaccine

Eighty four per cent of all eligible adults in North Wales have now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine according to the now regular health board update.

779,846 vaccinations (486,924 first doses and 292,922 second) have been carried out since the rollout began in December 2020.

This means that 84% of all eligible adults in the region, including sixty-four per-cent of 18-29 year-olds, have now had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while half of the eligible population have had the full protection of both doses.

The vaccine has now been offered to everyone who is eligible to have one currently, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board urging 87,500 people who have yet to come forward to book an appointment using the new online booking service.

Those aged 30-39 are described as being a key target group, with take up is currently lowest among this age group.

In Wrexham the numbers of people vaccinated in each cohort, include:

• Residents in Older Persons Care Homes (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 106% and 96%
• Staff working in Older Persons Care Homes (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined – 90% and 79%
• People aged 80 years and over (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 99% and 95%
• Frontline Healthcare workers (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 97% and 88%
• Frontline social care workers (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 97% and 87%
• People aged 75 to 79 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 98% and 95%
• People aged 70 to 74 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 97% and 94%
• All those aged under 16-69 yrs who are clinically extremely vulnerable (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 95% and 88%
• All those aged 65 years and over (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 95% and 89%
• Moderate risk adults under 70 years of age (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 88% and 59%
• All those aged 60 – 64 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 89% and 44%
• All those aged 55 – 59 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 86% and 34%
• All those aged 50 – 54 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 86% and 23%
• All those aged 40 – 49 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 78% and 3%
• All those aged 30 – 39 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 58% and 2%
• All those aged 18 – 29 years (1st / 2nd dose vaccinated or declined) – 47% and 1%

Gill Harris, executive director of nursing and midwifery, said: “Thanks to the incredible efforts of our staff and volunteers, we are continuing to play a key role in Wales’ world leading vaccination rollout.

“We are continuing to store the vaccine in people’s arms, administering our supply as quickly as it is received.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll be stepping up our efforts to ensure that nobody is left behind.

“Getting the remaining 15 per cent of our eligible population vaccinated before the Delta variant, or other variants of concern take hold, could have a significant impact on our ability to return to life as normal and continue to enjoy some of the freedoms that have recently been restored.

“This is especially important as we welcome tourists from across the UK during the summer months.

“Those aged 30-39 are a key target group, as take up is currently lowest among this age group.

“In the coming weeks we will send text messages and letters to the 87,500 people who have yet to book a first dose. We will also undertake radio advertising, a social media campaign, publish information in the local press, and carry out engagement with hard to reach groups in our communities.

“Our vaccination teams will continue to hold information sessions in local supermarkets, shopping centres and other areas of high footfall, in order to answer and address any questions or concerns people have about the COVID-19 vaccine. We will also be targeting communities where take up of the vaccine is lower than average.

“Please don’t worry if you’ve not been able to book your appointment just yet, or you turned down the vaccine when it was first offered and have since changed your mind. The door is always open and it’s not too late to change your mind.

“If you have any concerns about receiving the vaccine, please book and attend your appointment, so we can take the time to discuss any concerns you have, before you decide whether to go ahead.

“We are again appealing for people who are hesitant about receiving the vaccine to make an informed decision about whether to be vaccinated, based on the latest information from trusted sources. The Public Health Wales website is a great place to start.”

Ms Harris also urged anyone due for their second dose of the vaccine to come forward when invited.

She added: “Real world data shows that the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are highly effective against the strain of the Delta variant after two doses, so it’s vital that people continue to attend their second dose appointments, in order to obtain the most effective protection.

“We are continuing to carefully monitor cases of the Delta variant in our communities, and have the ability to bring forward second dose appointments using our first dose supply, if necessary.

“This is being regularly reviewed, based on the latest available evidence and data.”

You can now book appointments online for your coronavirus vaccine here.