Covid vaccinations - Update

Over 7,000 internal and external health and social care staff have already been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Vaccinations continue to be prioritised on the basis of risk of exposure to Covid-19, in line with national priority groups. For example a non-frontline health and social care worker would not be prioritised for the vaccine over other members of the public within their age range unless they have any underlying health conditions. If you have an underlying health condition, you will be contacted at the appropriate time by your GP.

Council staff who fall within the priority groups will be contacted directly by their manager to advise them when booking slots become available.

Staff who fall outside of the national priority groups 1 and 2 will be contacted by their GP at the point when they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Those who have already received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine will now be called back for their second dose up to 12 weeks after the first dose, rather than the 3 weeks as originally advised. Again, this is in line with national guidance and to ensure that as many people as possible are protected as soon as possible.

Vaccinations are also underway with the new Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine which was approved last week. This vaccine is currently being prioritised to care home residents and the over 80s as directed by Welsh Government.

We continue to work with the Health Board to ensure that all council staff and independent sector staff that fall within these priority groups get vaccination slots as quickly as possible but please be patient as the supply of the vaccine is still quite limited.

Frequently asked questions on the vaccination programme and priority group information can be found on the Public Health Wales website.