‘Give staff time off for boosters’

With the latest wave of Covid-19 sweeping through the Welshpool area, local employers are being asked to allow staff time off to have their vaccines and boosters.

Unprecedented numbers of people have receive their vaccines in Powys this week, but it appears some employers are making it hard for staff to reach the vaccine centre in Newtown.

Powys Teaching Health Board is trying to get as many people treble jabbed by the new year, but know it takes a team effort despite it being a busy time for business in the run up to Christmas.

“W are asking employers across the county to help out by encouraging their staff to take up the vaccine and supporting them with time out of the working day if necessary to attend a vaccine centre,” said a spokesperson.

“Encouraging them to get vaccinated is in your interest as well as theirs, and allowing your staff a little time out to get the vaccine may mean saving days of time compared to time off work sick.”

Additional vaccination clinics and are now running seven days a week, and people can book their own appointments online via www.pthb.nhs.wales. 

“Vaccinated people are far less likely to get symptoms from Covid-19,” he added. “They are even more unlikely to get seriously ill, be admitted to hospital or die from it. There’s growing evidence that vaccinated people are also less likely to pass the virus to others.”