70% of adults in Wales have had first vaccine dose

Seventy per cent of adults in Wales have received their first coronavirus dose, while one in four have had both doses, latest figures show.

In total, 1,785,347 first vaccine doses have been received, with 701,099 people having had both vaccines, according to data published by Public Health Wales.

Across Wales, there has been a total of 2,486,446 coronavirus vaccinations given out.

In a statement, Wales’ Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, said it has been “another busy week in our Covid-19 vaccination programme” and spoke of the “good progress” being made with the vaccinations of younger adults.

Mr Gething also issued an update on recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which has recommended pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with weaker immune systems, are vaccinated.

He said: “There is now extensive post-marketing experience of the use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the USA with no safety signals so far.

“These vaccines are therefore the preferred vaccines to offer to pregnant women. Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the woman, who should be told about the limited but emerging evidence regarding safety for vaccination in pregnancy.

“Pregnant women who commenced vaccination with AstraZeneca, are advised to complete their vaccination course with the same vaccine.”

Meanwhile, JCVI guidance is recommending that people aged 16 or over, who live with people who have severely weakened immune systems, should be prioritised for a vaccine.

An online form has been launched for people in this category to fill in to be eligible for a vaccine.

Mr Gething said: “It is important for everyone to take up their offer of vaccination; the NHS in Wales is working hard to make available the right vaccine at the right time for all individuals.

“It is never too late for someone in the first priority groups to come forward for their vaccination, there are always plans in place to ensure that no one is left behind.”

The percentage of people in Wales who have received their first and second vaccine is broken down below:

Care home residents: 97.6% first dose; 87.9% second dose

Care home workers: 90.4% first dose; 77.4% second dose

Healthcare workers: 94.1% first dose; 82.3% second dose

Social care workers: 45,181 first dose; 37,919 second dose

Aged 80 and above: 95.5% first dose; 85.3% second dose

Aged 75-79: 99.2% first dose; 83.4% second dose

Aged 70-74: 95.5% first dose; 71.2% second dose

Clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 16-69 : 93% first dose; 57.3% second dose

Aged 65-69: 93.7% first dose; 31.5% second dose

Clinical risk groups aged 16 to 64: 84.9% first dose; 5.4% second dose

Aged 60-64: 91.3% first dose; 17.4% second dose

Aged 55-59: 88.8% first dose; 16.3% second dose

Aged 50-54: 86.3% first dose; 15.4% second dose

Aged 40-49: 69.9% first dose; 13.3% second dose

Aged 30-39: 37.1% first dose; 10.6% second dose

Aged 18-29: 21.3% first dose; 7.9% second dose