All 16 and 17-year-olds to be offered vaccine by end of week

All 16 and 17-year-olds in Wales will have been offered a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the week, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

It comes following updated guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on vaccinations for under-18s.

Figures published by Public Health Wales on August 17 show that nearly a quarter of 18 to 29-year-olds in Wales have yet to receive their first vaccine dose.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Our vaccination programme is world-leading, but we know that there are still some people who have yet to take up the offer of a vaccine.

“We are particularly keen to ensure that young people, including those over-16s who are now eligible for the vaccine, take up the offer so that they are at lower risk of the effects of coronavirus now that they are able to socialise more.”

A number of walk-in vaccination centres are being set up across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area, which includes Caerphilly County Borough, to allow people to get vaccinated without having to book an appointment.

Mr Morgan added: “The vaccine is our best possible protection against coronavirus, and we want to ensure that there is no one left behind in getting their dose – which is why it’s so important that we make it as easy and convenient for people to access a vaccine.

“It’s not too late to get your vaccine. Please come forward to take up your offer or attend a walk-in clinic to help protect yourselves and your loved ones and to Keep Wales Safe.”

Walk-in vaccination centres

A walk-in vaccination centre will be running at Newbridge Leisure Centre on Saturday, August 14 from 10am to 4pm. This will be for anyone waiting for their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Meanwhile, walk-in vaccination centres will also be running in Caerphilly County Borough for people aged 18 and over who are still waiting for a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. These will be set up at:

• Newbridge Leisure Centre: Wednesday, August 18 (8.40am – 4pm)
• Newbridge Leisure Centre: Thursday, August 19 (8.40am – 4pm)
• Bargoed Library Car Park: Monday, August 23 (10am – 3pm)

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: 98.2% first dose; 95.5% second dose

Care home workers: 93.6% first dose; 90.3% second dose

Healthcare workers: 96.6% first dose; 94.3% second dose

Social care workers: 45,694 first dose; 44,963 second dose

Aged 80 and above: 96.1% first dose; 94.9% second dose

Aged 75-79: 96.9% first dose; 96% second dose

Aged 70-74: 96.3% first dose; 95.5% second dose

Clinically extremely vulnerable people aged 16-69 : 94.6% first dose; 92.4% second dose

Aged 65-69: 95% first dose; 94% second dose

Clinical risk groups aged 16 to 64: 90% first dose; 86.1% second dose

Aged 60-64: 93.4% first dose; 92% second dose

Aged 55-59: 91.6% first dose; 89.8% second dose

Aged 50-54: 89.7% first dose; 87.3% second dose

Aged 40-49: 84.5% first dose; 80.5% second dose

Aged 30-39: 76.9% first dose; 69% second dose

Aged 18-29: 75.8% first dose; 62% second dose

Source: Public Health Wales