All over-18s to have been offered first coronavirus vaccine by next week

Everyone aged 18 and over in Wales will have been offered a coronavirus vaccine by the beginning of next week – more than six weeks ahead of schedule.

Latest figures show that 2.18 million people in Wales have had their first vaccine dose, while nearly 1.25 million have had both doses.

Earlier this year, the Welsh Government set itself the target of offering a coronavirus vaccine to all eligible adults before July 31.

The Welsh Government has said it is now focusing on ensuring everyone is offered a second dose by the end of September.

First Minister Mark Drakeford hailed Wales’ vaccination programme as “one of the best” in the world.

He said: “We will make the offer of vaccination to all eligible adults six weeks ahead of schedule and we expect to reach 75% take-up across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target.

“This is a remarkable achievement and a tribute to the hard work of all those involved in the programme – to all those doing the complex work of planning behind the scenes and to the thousands of people vaccinating and helping to run the clinics across the country.

“You are doing a fantastic job. I am incredibly proud and thankful for everything you are doing to help protect Wales from this awful virus.”

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The success of our programme in Wales lies in the supply arrangements we have developed; in our determination to use every drop of vaccine – not to waste any and to store the vaccine in people’s arms, rather than in fridges.

“As we complete first doses, we will be redoubling our efforts to make sure no one is left behind.

“Subject to vaccine supply, we are confident the delivery of second doses will continue to be as fast and successful as first doses.

“We expect all those who have come forward for their first dose to be offered a second dose by the end of September.”

Anyone who is still waiting for a vaccine appointment can book one online at gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed

Who has been vaccinated so far?

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

Care home residents: 98% first dose; 93.1% second dose

Care home workers: 91.8% first dose; 83.7% second dose

Healthcare workers: 95.4% first dose; 88.4% second dose

Social care workers: 45,471 first dose; 41,960 second dose

Aged 80 and above: 95.8% first dose; 92.8% second dose

Aged 75-79: 96.5% first dose; 94.3% second dose

Aged 70-74: 95.8% first dose; 93.9% second dose

Clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 16-69 : 93.7% first dose; 88.2% second dose

Aged 65-69: 94.4% first dose; 90.3% second dose

Clinical risk groups aged 16 to 64: 87.4% first dose; 61.3% second dose

Aged 60-64: 92% first dose; 78.4% second dose

Aged 55-59: 89.8% first dose; 51.5% second dose

Aged 50-54: 87.8% first dose; 39.5% second dose

Aged 40-49: 81.9% first dose; 26% second dose

Aged 30-39: 70.8% first dose; 18% second dose

Aged 18-29: 60.7% first dose; 12.7% second dose

Updated Vaccine Strategy

On Monday, June 7, the Welsh Government published its updated Vaccine Strategy.

The strategy sets out the next steps in Wales’ vaccination programme.

The strategy stresses the importance of second doses, with the Delta variant spreading in parts of the UK.

It also sets out what the Welsh Government is doing to prepare for potential booster jabs, as well as vaccinations for children.

It comes after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency last week approved vaccines for children aged 12 and over.