Local vaccination programme underway

As the first batch of Welshpool frontline workers received their Covid-19 vaccinations in Newtown yesterday, health chiefs have been quick to tell the over 80s ‘not to call us, as we’ll be in touch with you’.

Almost 1,000 Powys health and care staff have already received their ‘shot in the arm’ with a further 3,000 expected to be done by Christmas.

But phase two, which will see vaccinations for the over 80 age bracket, will is expected to start son after and invitations to be sent to those in line. 

“At the moment it is not possible for those aged over 80 to book for vaccination and we kindly request that people do not call either their GP or the vaccine booking line at this time,” said a spokesperson for the Powys Teaching Health Board last night.

“There is still a lot of planning taking place at the moment to ensure that this process will be as effective as possible, and as soon as we are able to we will be contacting those eligible for vaccination directly.

“We urge everyone to continue to follow national guidance on social distancing and to help keep Wales safe.”

In the meantime, Carol Morgan, a community psychiatric nurse was the first person to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the Newtown vaccination centre, based at the Park Day Centre, when it opened this yesterday.

“I’m very grateful to have the vaccine, and proud be the first person to receive it at the Newtown vaccination hub,” she said.

These first vaccinations use the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which has been approved for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency based on evidence of safety and effectiveness.

Due to the very specific requirements for temperature control and storage for this vaccine, it is being provided to the county’s frontline health and care workers in the first instance from the two vaccination hubs in Newtown and Brecon. 

More information on the vaccination programme in Wales is available from the Public Health Wales website at https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/.