I am delighted to be starting the year with some good news about the Coronavirus vaccines. Over the next few months three different vaccines are being rolled out to the first priority groups – frontline health and social care workers, over 80s, over 75s, over 70s and those deemed to be 'Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’.
Across Powys there are 9800 people who are over the age of 80, of which 960 are in care homes. At the time of writing this, the vaccination of care home residents is well underway and by the end of January, they along with all 7000 health and social care staff across Powys and all those over 80 should have been given an opportunity to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
By February we will see vaccinations available in GP surgeries on an invitation basis and by mid-February everyone over 75 will have been offered the vaccine. Two mass vaccination sites have been opened – one in Bronllys Hospital, and the other site at the Royal Welsh Showground. Eventually they will be open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Health Board is also working to roll out jabs in community and commercial pharmacies.
There is no need to call your GP surgery to request an appointment. Patients will be contacted first. I cannot stress how important it is that people turn up to the vaccination appointments they have booked – missed appointments mean that the vaccine goes to waste.
This is the largest vaccination programme the NHS has ever delivered and so I want to thank everyone who is getting it off the ground. Especially the volunteers from PAVO who are doing all sort of jobs – not least standing in the freezing cold and directing traffic at the vaccination centres! While the vaccines are incredibly good news, it is even more vital that we stick to restrictions and give us the best chance of getting out of the crisis by the Spring.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can help at all. [email protected].
