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Welsh Government has published its updated coronavirus vaccination strategy – outlining plans to offer vaccines to everyone in priority groups 5 to 9 by the middle of April.
People within these groups include everyone aged 50 to 69 and people aged 16 and above with underlying health conditions, including learning disabilities and mental illnesses.
Unpaid carers are also set to be offered a vaccine by mid-April.
The plans were published on Friday (February 26).
Once the nine priorities groups have been offered their first doses by mid-April, the order will then go by age with the over-40s next in line, followed by the 30 to 39 age group.
Headteachers’ union NAHT Cymru and the Police Federation have criticised the policy saying frontline staff should be protected.
Speaking at the Welsh Government’s coronavirus briefing on Friday, Wales’ Chief Medical Officer Dr Frank Atherton said there was not enough evidence to prioritise vaccines based on occupation and that such a complex rollout would slow down progress.
He said: “This is the simplest, quickest and fairest approach. And it means we can remain on track to meet our ambitious vaccination targets.”
Earlier this week, Wales’ Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, confirmed plans to have offered every adult in Wales a vaccine by July 31.
As of Thursday, February 25, 902,334 people in Wales had received a first dose of the vaccine – with a further 80,062 people having received both doses.
Vaccine progress across Wales
So far, 91% of people aged 80 and above have received a first vaccine dose, while 93.2% of people aged 75-79 have been given their first dose.
Of those aged 70-74, 92.7% have had their first dose.
Meanwhile, 83% of care home workers, 85.8% of care home residents and 87% of people aged between 16 and 69, who are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable, have had their first vaccine.
More than 125,000 healthcare workers have also had a first dose.
Mr Gething said: “A huge amount of progress has been made in rolling out the vaccine since our strategy was first published only six weeks ago.
“I am pleased to confirm we have brought forward two key target dates, but I must emphasise again that this is based on getting the required supply from the UK Government.
“It is encouraging that the UK Government has brought forward some of Wales’ supply allocation, but from the information available to us at this point there are concerns with both the type of supply and the timing of its delivery.
“We have always said that we could go even faster were the supply available.”
He added: “Today’s update also reflects on some of the achievements of our programme to date, and provides information on the significant and really encouraging evidence that is beginning to emerge around vaccination.
“While we remain cautious, there really does appear to be much cause for hope thanks to the success of our vaccination programme.”
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